Warning of crimewave in heatwave

POLICE are warning householders not to let the heatwave turn into a crimewave after 150 Greater Manchester homes were burgled in the past week as a direct result of people leaving their doors and windows open in the sweltering heat.

Officers say that more than one in three burglaries are down to people leaving their property insecure while they are in another part of the house or in the garden. Oldham recorded the highest number of burglaries in Greater Manchester over the past week, with 41 homes falling victim, 15 of which had been left insecure.

Police have stepped up a number of initiatives in a bid to drive down the burglary rate across the county.

These include: neighbourhood patrols and roadside police checks in burglary hotspot areas, targeting of known offenders with checks on bail and curfew conditions and search warrants on their homes to look for stolen property.

Officers and PCSOs are also working with residents to advise them in how they can safeguard their homes from criminals through the use of burglar alarms, quality locks and security lighting.

Det Chief Supt Russ Jackson, who is leading Greater Manchester Police’s fight against burglars, said: “We are determined to drive burglaries down in our county and put offenders behind bars.

“The hot weather brings extra challenges and I would urge people to follow the simple advice of locking doors and windows and using their alarms to stop them falling prey to this distressing crime.”

Police have also urged the public to come forward with any information to help make the difference between them having a watertight case or not enough evidence to secure a conviction.

Mr Jackson added: “We want people to have a safe summer and enjoy the good weather — something that they can do more confidently if they have made sure their homes are secure.”

Anyone with any information is asked to phone the police on 0161-872 5050 or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800-555 111.