Spotlight on village burglaries

A POLICE chief today revealed there will be an increased police presence in Saddleworth villages hit by a spate of daylight burglaries.

Chief Inspector James Troisi, who lives in Saddleworth, made his comments after locals expressed concern over 55 reported attacks on property since August 1.

The Chronicle revealed the shocking statistics of the burglary blitz, highlighting raids by marauding criminals boosted by the latest attacks on specific properties over the weekend in Denshaw.

Three homes targeted in the village added to the growing litany of householders' misery.

One theory is three gangs, based in Huddersfield, are travelling into Saddleworth focusing on properties they may have watched in earlier surveillance operations.

Ladders

In some cases, the burglars used garden implements left outside sheds, breaking windows and doors to gain access to homes. Two vehicles believed to have been involved in raids have been seized by police.

In Delph, offenders used a set of ladders left in the garden to gain access through a bathroom window of a detached house and ripped a bedroom fireplace from the walls.

In Diggle, raiders used an axe in the garage to smash through an internal door to the house.

Ch Insp Troisi added: "I ask people to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity by phoning 999 in an emergency, 101 in less urgent cases or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800-555 111."