BURGLARIES are currently running at around 70 a month in the Warrington area – a relatively low figure for towns of comparable size in the North West, according to police.
But detectives are determined to continue to clamp down on burglars.
Det Insp Matt Durcan, who runs the Northern Area Proactive Policing Team, covering Warrington, Widnes and Runcorn, said: “One burglary is one too many and residents can rest assured that we will continue to target those responsible and ensure they are punished.”
DI Durcan was responsible for setting up the burglary unit in Warrington in January 1995.
In January of that year there were 396 burglaries reported within the Warrington area, and it became apparent that a large number of the burglaries were being committed by criminals who were travelling into the town to commit crime – taking advantage of Warrington’s close proximity to the motorway network.
The burglary unit was set up to proactively target those responsible for this type of crime. Over the years they have arrested and prosecuted numerous criminals – including some in the late 1990s who admitted being responsible for hundreds of burglaries.
DI Durcan said: “The team has worked tirelessly in combating burglars and we have some very passionate and experienced detectives targeting these criminals.
“We are currently running at around 70 burglaries per month and while this is a relatively low figure compared with other large towns within the North West my staff are working hard to reduce it further.”
A number of significant arrests have been made recently, sending out a message to potential offenders that they are likely to get caught.
DI Durcan added: “We are continuing to target prolific offenders and if anyone chooses to commit a burglary in Warrington they need to be aware that they will be targeted, arrested and prosecuted. Rest assured that we will continue to target prolific offenders who break the law and ensure that they cannot continue to cause misery and distress to members of the public.
“We see on a regular basis what effect this type of crime has on people. Burglary is an unpleasant crime as it is carried out in the one place where residents should feel safe – in their own homes. We are seeing excellent results but we know there is still more work to be done and the team will continue to target offenders.”
