Home Page Haverhill News

Haverhill Poll
Haverhill Poll

General

Mailing List


Matthew Hancock
Your Local MP
 


Police following criminals around proves a hit

Monday, 18th April 2011.

Getting police officers to follow known criminals around has proved very successfulin Suffolk.

To date 28 arrests have been made resulting in 58 charges for a number of offences following Operation Apache to crackdown on known felons.

The operation ran between January and March 2011 with officers targeting a small number of prolific criminals by closely monitoring and engaging with them and ensuring they knew they were the focus of police attention.

Consequently 28 arrests have been made, which in turn have resulted in 58 charges, one community resolution, five offences reported for consideration, and offenders remain on bail for a further 12 offences.

In total, for the three-month period 134 offences were recorded which include 26 thefts, 22 theft from motor vehicle, 14 burglary dwellings, 12 criminal damage, ten burglary other buildings and six offences of going equipped.

The impact of Operation Apache can be seen largely affecting offences of theft from motor vehicle, where 18 charges have been brought.

There have also been six offenders charged in relation to burglaries. Offences of burglary have been on the increase throughout the year but, within the last quarter, when Operation Apache was put in place, offences have fallen by almost 18 per cent in comparison to 2010.

The operation not only looked to reduce crime in the short term but also had longer-term aims.

Often the targeted individuals were committing crime to fund a drugs habit. Therefore, once contact was made, they were given the opportunity to speak to a Drugs and Alcohol Action Team (DAAT) worker to give them the support they need if they are drug-dependent.

By offering the help they need for any drugs dependencies it is hoped their motive for committing burglaries in the first place will be removed.

Det Insp Andy Footer, who ran the operation said: “Operation Apache has proved to be an effective weapon in our arsenal of tactics to use in the war against burglary, car crime, thefts and street robberies.

"By targeting these individuals, they have been unable to commit a number of offences. Over 200 home visits were made to the individuals, emphasising our commitment to the operation.

"The intelligence submitted and the teamwork involved has re-iterated the point that the individuals targeted are indeed not just nuisance youths or children, but active and prolific offenders, who by their illegal activities, cause misery to local residents.”

DI Footer added: “It is also important that we work with other agencies to deal with the reason behind their desire to commit crime in the first place and this is usually a drug addiction. By offering them support from a DAAT worker, we can help stop their need to commit crime in the first place.”

Haverhill Online News

Comment on this story

[board listing] [login] [register]

No comments have been posted for this news entry.

 

You must be logged in to post messages. (login now)

© Haverhill-UK | Accessibility | Disclaimer