Operation Crunch is back and is already putting the crunch on burglars in Warwickshire.

Detective Supt Neil Hewison said “This previously highly successful operation is back following a slight increase in burglaries over the Christmas period.

“Any burglary is one too many and Operation CRUNCH aims to make life even more difficult for anyone suspected of committing burglary in Warwickshire.

Operation CRUNCH will ensure a coordinated approach to disrupting the activities of burglars, concentrating resources on key areas where intelligence suggests burglaries may occur and putting the victim at the heart of what we do.

DI Mark Davison of the Offender Management Unit said “Officers will be overtly disrupting the activities of suspected burglars by following them and letting them know we are watching their every step.

Acting Supt Martin McNevin said “Local officers supported by specialist teams including the dog unit will be focussing on key areas to disrupt burglars before they commit an offence. We will also be offering the elderly, and anyone who feels vulnerable to burglary, extra support to protect themselves from burglary as well as visiting repeat victims to help them improve their security.

Det Supt Hewison added “Thanks to the good work of officers and staff, burglaries have already decreased since Christmas and arrests are being made almost daily. ”

We need to build on these positive results and are calling upon you, as someone who lives or works in Warwickshire, to play a part in reducing burglary in your local community.

“You can do this in a number of ways. You can help by reporting anyone you see acting suspiciously in your neighbourhood to the police. Dial 999 if you think a crime is actively taking place.

Please also consider joining Neighbourhood Watch or if there is not a Neighbourhood Watch where you live get involved in setting one up. It will help make your community safer.

If you live in Warwickshire, take a few moments to sign up to receive local Community Alert messages via e mail. As well as warnings about crime in your area you will receive a range of messages letting you know what police and partners are doing to tackle crime.

More information on joining NHW and signing up to Community Alert messages can be found along with Crime Prevention and personal safety advice on the www.warwickshire.police.uk website

DS Martyn Stephens said “We will be doing everything we can to prevent burglaries occurring in Warwickshire by encouraging people to lock their windows and doors, review their own security and keep an eye on neighbouring properties.

“We have a full range of activities planned over the coming weeks including leaflet drops by volunteer police staff, property marking, free alarms, promoting Neighbourhood Watch schemes and visiting second hand shops to check for stolen goods.

“We will also be visiting burglary victims to give them advice and support, linking in with partner agencies such as Victim Support and making people aware that they may need to take extra precautions if they live in an area we believe a suspected burglar may be operating in.

INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITY: Please contact the Newsdesk on 01926 415065 to request an interview with DS Martyn Stephens. Please leave a message and we will get back to you asap.