Don’t make it easy for thieves
Date published: 09 April 2009
KEEP it locked . . . Insp Milovanovic and PCSO Anne-Marie Waby-Smith offer advice to Angela Roddy
A HANDBAG lies unzipped on the front seat of an expensive 4x4 with letters and documents spilling out — an open invitation to an opportunist thief.
Elsewhere in Lees, a mum dashed from her home to deliver a message to a neighbour — and forgot one important thing in her haste.
She left the front door open.
But smiling Insp Danny Milovanovic and his officers were on hand to give a gentle chiding and some words of warning.
Insp Milovanovic and his dedicated team are in the front line alerting householders and car owners about sneak burglars.
Burglaries in the Saddleworth and Lees neighbourhood saw a percentage rise in two of the three months until the end of February on last year’s figures.
But the inspector stresses: “We have made some good arrests recently but we still need the public to be vigilant.”
And he advises joining a Home Watch scheme — or helping set one up.
“Residents can be the extra eyes and ears in the neighbourhood. Seven new Home Watch schemes are currently being set up — but we always need more.”
Mother-of-three Mrs Angela Roddy who left her door open said: “I was just forgetful. I went to deliver an important message to a neighbour concerning her car.
“I simply forgot to close the door properly behind me. I appreciate that could have been a problem.”
And the officers also spoke to the woman who had left her handbag on the seat of her vehicle.
Police are just completing a three month operation in Oldham to buck the New Year trend of an increase in break-ins.
Officers have been pulling out all the stops, disrupting known offenders, increasing patrols and targeting second hand shops.
Supt Chris Sykes said: “We are sending a clear message there is no place for criminals in Oldham.
“The operation has seen some good results including the execution of 93 warrants and 117 arrests. Most importantly, throughout the three months, the number of break-ins has reduced by 27 per cent compared with the same period last year.”
Six offenders are now serving a combined total of 21 years and three months behind bars. This burglary team was responsible for over 80 burglaries in Oldham, mainly in the Saddleworth and Lees area.
“This was a great result for the division,” said Supt Sykes. “Oldham is a safer place to live and work now these individuals are behind bars.
“The main focus of this operation has been about taking the fight to the offender. We have been visiting them in their homes, increasing patrols and surveillance in the areas that they live and disrupting any opportunities they might have to commit further crime.”
Neighbourhood Policing Teams — where Insp Milovanovic operates — have played a key role in beating the burglars.
They are taking crime prevention directly to residents’ doorsteps, and have included the use of the mobile police station and increased patrols.
But the inspector underlined the importance of residents helping police in the fight against crime by making sure they keep their homes secure.
“One in three burglaries is still down to opportunistic thieves entering properties through insecure doors and windows,” he said.
Insp Milovanovic added: “I can’t stress often enough just how important it is to ensure all your property, belongings and vehicles are safely secured.”
