Inside crime: how not to get burgled

CRIME sheet: Jason Fleming and PC Andy Pickering with a ‘graft list’ of target homes

Former serial house-breaker reveals the tricks of his trade BREAKING into homes and making off with his loot was once the game for one of Oldham’s most wanted burglars.

But reformed criminal Jason Fleming was yesterday going door-to-door for an altogether different reason — to help people safeguard their properties this Christmas.

Crime was a career for the former opportunist crook, who has spent seven of the past 12 years behind bars.

Clean since his release two years ago and having turned a corner, the 32-year-old is now helping Greater Manchester Police clamp down on winter break-ins.

Jason estimates he broke into around 400 homes in Oldham during his life of crime, starting when he was 15.

Often sneaking through open doors in the middle of the night while residents were asleep, he’d sometimes spend up to an hour ransacking properties and even returning two or three times if the residents were away.

He said: “I eventually became a known face so I stopped carrying tools to help me and started just trying doors.

“I would go door-to-door and it was unbelievable how many were left unlocked or alarms were not set at night.

“I’d go in and get done as quick as I could, head for valuable items, gold or electrical stuff.

“Sometimes if there was that much stuff I’d stick it in the car, get the keys and drive off — I did that about three times.”

Night and day, no time was off-limits for Jason who would then sell his haul on.

The reformed sneak thief admits he has never been a victim of burglary but realises the error of his ways and the effect it must have had on homeowners.

Having worked with probation completing courses and gaining work skills he’s now looking to carve out a new life. Jason admits that several lengthy spells in prison ‘is not a life’ adding: “There’s more out there than that.”

And his experiences as a burglar proved handy for Failsworth residents as he accompanied police to point out homes that could be easy targets for crooks.

Standing outside one terraced property, with a glass panel in the door, he said: “That would be quite easy to break quietly and if the keys are in the back of the door you’re in.

“It was a great time when the dark nights drew in, people don’t leave lights on, their curtains are open and you can see clearly there is no-one in.”

Coming face-to-face with local residents he passed on his advice, which included tips such as locking back gates to make gardens harder to access.

Other hints were for families to keep their keys away from front doors and letter boxes, put lights on timers and set house alarms when going to bed.

As part of the campaign local police have uncovered what is known as a ‘Graft List’, a genuine burglar’s to-do list dropped at a robbed property.

Stark details about are individual properties are revealed including desirable items, location of car keys and the equipment that would be needed to break in.

It is thought the list could have been produced by an enterprising criminal and sold on to a desperate thief.

PC Andy Pickering said: “While most thieves are opportunistic there are some who are more organised and will systematically search out the weaknesses in your neighbourhood for the easiest homes, cars, pedal bikes or other valuables on your property to target and steal.

“This to-do list gives an insight on how thieves identify their targets and should serve as a reminder to householders on how to protect themselves from falling victim to crime.”