[02
MAY 00] WARWICKSHIRE CONSTABULARY NEWS
Warwickshire Burglars Warned In Crackdown
Warwickshire’s
police chief has written to known offenders warning them to stay out
of trouble during a major burglary crackdown.
Nearly
60 people who have been charged, cautioned, convicted or released from
jail for burglary in the last months are being given a hand-delivered
letter.
Acting
Chief Constable Mick Brewer has warned the recipients that if they
commit crime to feed a drugs habit they should seek help for their
addiction or face the consequences. A leaflet with the addresses and
telephone numbers of advice centres is included.
Speaking
at the launch of Operation Impact he said that there would be no
excuses for violating people’s property.
He
is warning repeat offenders that changes in the law mean they are
likely to face a stiffer sentence if convicted three times for
burglary.
And
the courts will be told of the letter if the people who have been
given a warning ignore it and end up being charged with a crime.
High-profile
operations in burglary blackspots are to be carried out all over the
county as part of the two-month crackdown launched to meet new
Government targets.
There
will also be covert surveillance operations to capture burglars, and
the public will be encouraged to report any suspicious activity.
Every
burgled house will be treated as a major scene of crime, and all the
stops will be pulled to catch the offenders.
Mr
Brewer pledged to bring in scientists to gather the latest forensic
evidence to help track the criminals.
He
said:
“Over
the last five years we have made quite a considerable impact in
Warwickshire steadily reducing the amount of this type of crime, but
we don’t want to stop there.”
He
said the decision to warn known offenders to seek help for any drug,
alcohol or financial problems rather than turn to crime was based on
the success of referral schemes operating throughout the county.
Mr
Brewer said if successful, the operation could be extended.
Detective
Inspector Mak Chishty added;
“The
message is quite simple. We do recognise that crime is committed for
a different number of causes.
“If
you need help go out and get it. Don’t commit crime – it’s not
going to help you.”
Detective
Chief Inspector Ken Lawrence, crime manager for the north of the
county, said operations would be carried out in each town.
He
said Warwickshire’s problems with crime were compounded by offenders
visiting from nearby cities such as Coventry and Birmingham.
And
he said it wasn’t just large rural houses that were at risk.
He
said:
“I
don’t think you can value a burglary by the total property stolen
– it’s the impact on people’s lives.”
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