Police raider to get help

A PROLIFIC teenage burglar had a fixation for targeting the emergency services.

Manchester and Salford youth court heard that on one occasion the baby-faced 17-year-old broke into Stalybridge police station and stole a PCSO uniform and hat.

The next morning he was spotted in the street wearing the gear - and carrying a folder full of police documents.

Said prosecutor Matthew Treece: "He obviously has a fascination with the emergency services".

It was the second time the boy had burgled a police station, the court heard.

Mr Treece said the youngster had been in court last year for burgling Moor Street Ambulance Station, Oldham, and North West Ambulance Station in Blackpool.

Last August he had raided Horwich fire station. He climbed into one of the engines and stole a mobile phone and handset.

Mr Treece then went on to outline how the boy had committed other similar offences and not all of them were read out in court.

The boy, who lives in Shaw, was not named in court for legal reasons and pleaded guilty to charges of burgling the police station in Stalybridge and stealing the uniform along with keys and other equipment.

He also admitted stealing a torch but the prosecution offered no evidence of him impersonating a community support officer and the case was thrown out.

Caitriona McLoughlin, defending, said: "He is vulnerable with many problems."

The boy who faces other charges was kept in custody until next month. District Judge Temperley ordered psychiatric and psychological reports.