Officers from across the Cheshire Police Force are taking part in a countywide operation targeting travelling criminals from surrounding areas who venture into Cheshire to commit burglaries and car crime.
Often attracted by the perceived wealth of affluent Cheshire villages and towns, criminals from the surrounding areas of Merseyside, North Wales, Staffordshire and Manchester are being targeted as they travel into Cheshire to commit crime via the county's road and motorway networks. Officers will use up to date technology, as well as more traditional policing methods, as the Constabulary continues in its efforts to reduce the number of burglaries committed over the festive season.
Over the the past twelve months, intelligence supports that 70% of house burglaries in Cheshire are committed by offenders who live outside the Constabulary area. Proactive policing methods, coupled with focused intelligence handling has already brought about success in identifying some of the most prolific burglars.
In November alone, over fifty vehicle stop checks have been carried out on the roads of Cheshire by staff engaged on this operation. These stop checks have resulted in over twenty arrests for a multitude of offences including burglary, handling of stolen goods, and possession of controlled drugs.
On one such occasion, three men from Manchester were arrested after stealing two high powered cars from a house in Congleton. They were stop checked by Police Officers in Alderley Edge and subsequently arrested on suspicion of burglary and are currently on police bail.
Inspector Barry Brown who is co-ordinating the operation said "Our aim is to apprehend travelling criminals as they venture into our force area. Our officers and staff are out policing the roads throughout the county, identifying and intercepting those vehicles that are known to be used in crime. I believe that examples of proactive intelligence led policing, shown in the results we have achieved so far, send a clear message to those criminals who travel to Cheshire to commit crime- that they will be apprehended and dealt with accordingly"
Chief Superintendent Craig Guildford said "We have had a number of successes as a result of this operation, but we are determined to try and further reduce burglary throughout Cheshire. The Western area of Cheshire, including Chester and Northwich in particular - shows a reduction of 30% in reported burglaries in recent months.
"We also want to our communities to be aware of home security measures - frustratingly a number of burglars target properties that have been left insecure. It is vital that people take responsibility for their home and belongings, especially as we are now in the winter months and intelligence suggest that thieves exploit the long dark evenings to try and commit their crimes."
