Burglary spree: man is arrested

Uppermill Conservative Club

OLDHAM police have arrested a man in connection with a series of burglaries in Saddleworth.

Police were called to Uppermill Conservative Club following reports of a burglary on July 4.

It was discovered that an offender had forced his way into the property and broken into a store cupboard where a large number of spirit bottles were kept.

Nearly £1,000 damage was caused by the break-in and almost £500 worth of alcohol was stolen.

Hours later Greater Manchester Police received a call regarding a man acting suspiciously near to Smithy Yard in Uppermill and in response to this call arrested a 40-year-old man on suspicion of burglary.

A full search of the scene allowed officers to recover property from the Conservative Club burglary, as well as a glove which matched one left behind at the scene of the crime.

Det Sgt Darren Grafton, of GMP's Oldham Division, said: "Over the last six months there has been an increase of such burglaries in Saddleworth and the surrounding areas."

The 40-year-old has been linked to a number of other burglaries in the area, including a burglary and fraud in Royton and a break-in at a house in Oswestry, Shropshire.

Anyone with information are urged to call police on 101.