Operation Launched to Combat Burglary in Wrexham

Householders in parts of Wrexham are working with police on an operation to reduce burglary and vehicle crime.

Operation Steel used crime statistics looking at the most recent crimes which stood out as they were unusual for those particular areas.

The two streets identified were Foxwood Drive in Wrexham and Oak Alyn Court in Cefn Y Bedd. Following enthusiastic community meetings the scheme was launched on Wednesday July 15th.

Operation Steel includes:

· Police visit to homes and a security site survey and advice

· All houses issued with a forensic DNA kit (SelectaDNA) to mark property, making it traceable

· All households have joined a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme

· Al householders have joined OWL Online Watch

· Householders have joined the Vehicle 25 plus scheme to reduce vehicle theft

· Residents with bicycles or motorbikes have had them forensically marked or security skinned and signed on the Bike Register

· Street signs have been installed to let criminals know the area is the covered by the scheme

· Some homes have been issued with extra target hardening equipment

· Crime prevention packs have been issued and property registered on Immobolise.com

The schemes, which see the communities and the police working together, will be monitored regularly.

PC 1409 Hazel Goss MBE Designing Out Crime Officer said: “I am excited about these new schemes as they have never been done in North Wales on such a large scale before.

“It has involved a lot of hard work and hopefully it will reduce crime in these areas. Marking property in this way reduces the chances of it being stolen. It is very hard to get rid of because it is traceable. Handlers of stolen property will not touch it, leaving thieves with the stolen property and increasing their chances of being caught.

“We are now looking a setting up a couple of schemes in Flintshire and details will follow once those streets have been confirmed.”

Sgt Sue Richards Eastern Community Safety added: “We will be informing burglars about this scheme when they enter custody and while in prison.

“Every year we recover items which we struggle to re-unite with their owners simply because we have no way of knowing who owns them. With this system property can be traced back to the owner quickly and easily, even if it is recovered from the other end of the country.

“Operation Steel will assist the people of North Wales to deter criminals and make their homes safer.”