Police bid to drive down burglaries in Wickford

POLICE were out in force stopping vehicles as part of a bid to drive down burglaries.

The crackdown – codenamed Operation Actinium – came in the wake of a spate of burglaries in the Wickford North ward in recent weeks.

Several homes have been broken into, with the raids all mainly taking place in the afternoon. Crooks smashed back doors and stole hauls worth thousands. Homes in Elder Avenue, Wick Lane, Swan Lane and Southend Road were among those targeted.

Officers ran the three-day crackdown last Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Based in Southend Road, they stopped vehicles, such as transit vans, and searched them as they looked for stolen goods, or tell-tale tools, such as jemmies, used by thieves to commit burglaries.

They also targeted people for general motoring offences.

Sgt Rob O’Sullivan, who led the operation, said: “We have intelligence around the burglaries that have been committed, so we’re looking for specific people and vehicles. Southe- nd Road is a major trunk road likely to be used by burglars travelling to the area.”

Comments(6)

Rich\Carol says...
9:05am Mon 26 Nov 12

Burglars/housebreake
rs what ever you want to call these vile scum people, the courts should be locking them up for a minimum of 6 years first offence then 2nd offence 10 years. By giving these creatures 8 months and out in 16 weeks will never stop people from doing this crime. Any human enterring uninvited someones elses home should be jailed for a long time.

EthanEdwards says...
12:41pm Mon 26 Nov 12

Agreed. I was going to say that when the Plod DO manage to catch one they hang onto them for some time. Rather than the present policy of releasing them and driving them to their next job.

Major Incident says...
2:11pm Mon 26 Nov 12

EthanEdwards wrote:
Agreed. I was going to say that when the Plod DO manage to catch one they hang onto them for some time. Rather than the present policy of releasing them and driving them to their next job.
Unfortunately the Police & Criminal Evidence Act dictates how long the police can hold on to them, giving everyone the right to bail except under specific evidenced circumstances which have to satisfy a court. Like it or not it's part of being in a democracy where you're innocent until proved guilty by fair trial. Then, and only then, can the court issue a ridiculously soft and inappropriate sentence.

SpiffSpaffington1984 says...
2:54pm Mon 26 Nov 12

Maybe they should have a police station in wickford, oh wait...

Olivia2847 says...
3:05pm Mon 26 Nov 12

SpiffSpaffington1984 wrote:
Maybe they should have a police station in wickford, oh wait...
Very good sir!

Brunning999 says...
6:46pm Mon 26 Nov 12

Nick. I forgot this one mate !

Once you have selected the new Chief and set the budget and solved Canveys problems oh don't forget to liaise with the public also.

click2find

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