Stormy winter ahead for Oldham burglars

Operation Storm to keep residents safe from burglaries. PCSO Imran Ahmed with Sheron Miah.

CRIMINALS are facing a bleak winter after police stepped up their crackdown on burglaries with the launch of Operation Storm.

Greater Manchester Police has managed to reverse an 18-month trend that has seen burglary rise by up to 10 per cent across many UK forces.

Since April, there were 900 fewer victims of burglary when compared with the same period last year — a decrease of more than 8 per cent.

Officers have vowed to continue the fight to reduce burglaries and bring offenders to justice in the months leading up to Christmas.

Suspected offenders will be subjected to increased surveillance, those on bail will get more home visits by officers and there will be increased police patrols targeting burglars.

Officers will visit residents at home, at local supermarkets and shopping centres to encourage them to lock doors and windows to keep burglars out.

Sheron Miah, of Mitchell Street, Oldham, received such a visit following an attempted burglary at his home.

The 25-year-old was at work when thieves attempted to kick in his back door on October 4.

He said: “When I came back from work I was shocked to find a hole in the back door, especially because my mother lives here.

“She wasn’t in at the time but imagine if she was at home, it could have been dangerous for her. This is the first time anyone has tried to rob us.”

Police Community Support Officer Imran Ahmed, from the Oldham West Neighbourhood Policing Team, visited Mr Miah to give him helpful advice, such as leaving a light or radio on when the house is unoccupied and investing in a security light for his back yard.

He said: “My main concern is there is no Home Watch scheme on Mitchell Street or surrounding areas. Anyone who wants to organise one can call 0161-856 9054 and speak to Peter Lee, the Home Watch co-ordinator.

“It’s about getting the whole street involved in crime prevention.

“Figures show 30 per cent of all burglaries happen because of insecurities in the house, such as windows and doors being left open, not wide open but just open enough for someone to get in.

“People are unaware of the simple things they can do to stop burglaries, like keeping door keys out of sight.

“I would also encourage residents to have valuable items marked with Smart Water, an invisible mark which means any items we may get back from another property can be identified.”

This latest clampdown on burglars follows a series of enforcement activities this summer.

A force-wide week of action in June saw Oldham police make 15 arrests and charge nine people for a range of crimes, including burglary.

There was more than 250 arrests that led to more than 100 individuals being charged across Greater Manchester.

Thousands of residents were given crime reduction advice.

Chief Supt Russ Jackson, who is leading Operation Storm, said: “Law-abiding citizens can help us by following simple advice such as locking doors and windows, setting alarms and leaving a light on when they go out to stop them falling victim to burglars.

“They can also help by sharing information on criminal or suspicious activity either directly with us on 0161-872 50 50 or anonymously, through Crimestoppers, on 0800-555 111.”