Crimebuster calms burglary blitz fears

Ch Supt Caroline Ball

A POLICE chief last night urged worried business owners in a community hit by a series of burglaries to increase vigilance and report anything suspicious.

Chief Superintendent Caroline Ball, GMP’s Oldham Divisional Commander, addressing a “Security for Saddleworth” meeting, said: “I do not care if get we 100 responses in one night. We will check them all out.”

Speaking to more than 100 people at the White Hart, Lydgate, she added: “We are working with neighbouring areas, including Tameside and Rochdale, because people can come in to commit crimes.

“When the pattern started to emerge we increased patrols. Sometimes people think we do not take burglaries that are at not houses seriously — but we do. This is your livelihood.”

She urged the community to report anything suspicious or unusual by calling the non-emergency number 101 to help the police piece information together.

The meeting was arranged by Lydgate hair salon owner Jo Ferns to tackle the recent crime rise in the area after her own business was broken into twice in the last six weeks and others burgled since December.

Sergeant Neil Barker confirmed there were 27 linked commercial offences across Oldham between November 1 and February 10, compared with 14 at that time last year.

Greenfield, Uppermill and Lydgate suffered 11, six more in Saddleworth West and Lees, and another two in Dobcross and Delph, mainly at licensed or retail premises.

Nick Watts, chair of Uppermill Community Association, said reports and warnings are being shared on Facebook between businesses and residents.

Oldham police can be contacted by calling: 0161-856 8825 or email oldhamborough@gmp.police.uk.