Burglary cut by over 50pc in crackdown

New figures released by the Bolton West Neighbourhood Police Team have revealed that work carried out between July and September has led to a dramatic fall in the number of burglaries.

Operation Haite was launched after police noticed an increase in burglary and vehicle crime in the area.

It involved extra patrols of community beat officers and police community support officers (PCSOs) and intelligence gathering from undercover officers.

As a direct result of the operation, police say house burglaries have been cut by 57.5 per cent, burglaries on other premises are down by 61 per cent, and vehicle crime has been reduced by 29.6 per cent.

Insp Mohammed Razaq said: “This means 23 fewer people had their houses burgled, 11 fewer people had their businesses burgled and 16 fewer people had their vehicle stolen or broken into.”

Furthermore, a prolific burglar who was one of Greater Manchester Police’s top 10 targets was arrested by officers during this operation.

Insp Razaq added: “Burglary can have a devastating effect on its victims.

“We have made it our top priority to ensure that we do all we can to prevent this from happening and when it does happen, that we do all we can to ensure offenders are brought swiftly to justice. There can be a tendency to think that we are just ticking boxes and crunching numbers that somehow becomes more important than actually doing the job.

“The opposite is true and we all have a part to play in keeping our neighbourhoods safer.”

Insp Razaq urged people to remain vigilant about crime and report anything suspicious.

One third of all burglaries are committed when thieves find unlocked doors and open windows.

Police are reminding residents to make sure they lock up their homes and vehicles, and do not leave valuables on display.

Additionally, anyone interested in starting a Homewatch scheme to help protect their areas can call Mary Harrison on 0161 856 5762.

pkeaveny@thebolton news.co.uk