969 arrested in crime sweep

A SUMMER crime crackdown led to police arresting 969 burglars, robbers and thieves across Greater Manchester.

Officers carried out 193 raids on properties of suspected criminals and 29 stolen vehicles were identified.

The crackdown was part of Operation Storm set up a year ago to support divisions in reducing burglaries, robberies and car theft. Since then it has led to 3,169 arrests.

During the year, there has been a 15 per cent reduction in burglary, a 19.5 per cent cut in vehicle crime and 15.5 per cent fewer robberies. This means 12,376 fewer people have falling victim to personal-theft crimes between April, 2009, and March this year when compared with the previous 12 months.

As part of the crackdown officers have been serving warrants, checking offenders are complying with bail and curfew conditions and visiting persistent criminals and those recently released from prison to check on their activities.

Officers from local burglary, robbery and car-crime teams have been supported by neighbourhood policing teams and specialist officers from the mounted, dog, tactical aid and road-policing units in this latest clean-up.

Court enforcement officers have also been arresting offenders for non-payment of fines.

PCSOs have been visiting hundreds of homes in crime hotspot areas to give crime-reduction advice and warning motorists using at-risk car parks to remove valuables and lock vehicles.

They have also been visiting supermarkets, shopping centres and other public places to help people register their valuables on Immobilise.com to increase their chances of having recovered stolen property returned to them.

Assistant Chief Constable Terry Sweeney said: “We made a commitment a year ago through Operation Storm to ensure that thieves in our county were brought to account for their crimes.

“Through targeting them in their homes, in our communities and on the streets, we have made significant progress in reducing all forms of theft and helped offenders make the choice between going straight or going straight to prison.

“I can assure law-abiding and law-breaking citizens that it does not end here. We will continue to work to reduce burglary, robbery and vehicle crime and bring offenders to justice over the coming months.

“I urge residents to play their part in the fight against these criminals by refusing to buy goods they suspect have been stolen and reporting their suspicions to us either directly on 0161-872 5050 or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800-555 111.”