Wrexham’s Rural Police Combat Rise In Burglary

Police in Coedpoeth and other communities around Wrexham have mounted a special operation following a rise in the number of shed and garage burglaries over the last month.

In a bid to combat the increase, Wrexham’s rural policing team is running Operation Bubble across the area.

With the permission of home owners, officers have installed covert CCTV cameras and smart water inside a number of sheds and garages across Wrexham County which will either catch the thieves in the act or make it easier to track them down.

Smart Water is a water based DNA type solution that can be used to invisibly mark and later identify property. It can also be sprayed on intruders when linked to an intruder alarm system. Each installation has a unique code that can make property identifiable and link a suspect to a specific crime scene.

Residents have been working with police officers and marking the items of property most favoured by thieves, including mountain bikes, garden equipment and power tools.

North Wales Police will also post any unidentified images of the thieves on their website under the Caught on Camera initiative.

PC Nicola Lear based at Coedpoeth police station said; “Operation Bubble is aimed at deterring thieves and also catching and bringing to court those who steal other people’s property.

“We are asking all residents to mark their valuable property with their postcode, either in UV pen or using an engraving kit. People should make a note of any serial numbers of items such as bikes and power tools and photograph items to allow us to identify recovered stolen property.’

Crime Prevention Event

Residents from across North Wales and bordering counties are being invited to a crime prevention event in Flintshire.

The event at Coed Llandegla Forest, Llandegla LL11 3AA on Sunday 25 August is from 10am – 4pm and is being organised and supported by North Wales Police, Cheshire Constabulary, community safety partnerships from across North Wales and the One Planet Adventure Centre in Llandegla.

Visitors will be offered crime prevention advice and information on bicycle tagging devices, property marking kits and security equipment. Activities will be taking place throughout the day including bicycle marking and registering and events at Coed Llandegla Forest.