Officers from Greater Manchester Police’s Metropolitan Division will be visiting burglars’ homes this Halloween to ensure they don’t give other people nightmares.

Officers will be talking to offenders to ensure that they know the consequences should they choose to return to their past criminal behaviour.

In addition the police are warning would-be mischief-makers to stay out of trouble this Halloween and Bonfire night.

As part of Operation Treacle, police officers will be working with Challenge and Support Officers from Manchester City Council, Trading Standards and Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service to combat the problems this time of year brings.

Officers from the neighbourhood policing teams will carry out regular patrols in hotspot areas to target antisocial behaviour, vandals and to reassure communities.

Trading Standards will be carrying out test purchases at off-licenses to stop underage drinking and prevent the sale of fireworks to under 18s. They will also be visiting retailers and encouraging them to adopt a Challenge 25 policy when selling fireworks. This means anyone who looks under 25-years-old will be asked for identification to prove they are over 18.

Anyone found to be harassing or intimidating people, playing with eggs and flour, or vandalising property will face police action.  Legislation will also mean that those under 18 face an £80 fine if they are in possession of a firework.

Officers have been giving dedicated Treacle inputs at schools, highlighting the consequences of antisocial behaviour and the dangers behind playing with fireworks.  

Officers have also been handing out posters to residents that they can display in their windows informing trick or treaters whether they are welcome or not.  Copies are available at www.safe4autumn.com or by contacting your local neighbourhood policing team.

Chief Superintendent Russ Jackson said: “This Halloween officers will be visiting offenders to let them know that we are watching them to ensure that they do not return to their criminal ways.

“Darker nights provide opportunities for would-be burglars and many people will be going to Halloween or Bonfire parties and leaving their homes empty. Residents can help deter thieves by leaving a low energy lightbulb on to make it look like someone is in at night and ensuring all their doors and windows are locked when their home is unoccupied.

“Residents also tell us that antisocial behaviour is one of their main concerns and this traditionally increases over Halloween and Bonfire night.
 
“The police, fire service, Trading Standards, the council and other organisations are working together to ensure all our residents can enjoy this time of year without any fear of distress or intimidation.

“My advice for a safe and enjoyable Halloween and Bonfire night is to respect others, use fireworks responsibly and attend an organised event.”

If you have a neighbourhood policing issue please contact your local neighbourhood policing team:

Longsight & Ardwick Neighbourhood Policing Team - tel: 0161 856 4223 email: b1.npt@gmp.police.uk

Gorton & Levenshulme Neighbourhood Policing Team - tel: 0161 856 4288 email: b2.npt@gmp.police.uk

Fallowfield, Rusholme &  Whalley Range Neighbourhood Policing Team - tel: 0161 856 4423 email: b3.npt@gmp.police.uk

Moss Side & Hulme Neighbourhood Policing Team – tel: 0161 856 4466 email: b4.npt@gmp.police.uk

To report crime call police on 0161 872 5050 or for more information visit www.gmp.police.uk.

-ends-

TOP TIPS

Halloween can be a lot of fun for children and young people, but it can also be distressing and intimidating for some residents.

If you are going trick or treating please respect and consider others and follow these top tips to ensure everyone has a safe and enjoyable time:

DON’T

·        Go alone - trick or treating is more fun and safer if you go in a small group with friends and family.
·        Go into houses - stay on the doorstep where the responsible adult can see you.
·        Play pranks that may damage property – this could result in arrest and a criminal record.
·        Demand money or intimidate people  - Halloween can be a night that some residents dread, so be respectful and polite.

DO

·        Look out for ‘Treacle’ posters – These will let you know whether trick or treaters are welcome at a house or aren’t.
·        Go with an adult - get a responsible adult to go with your group to help if you have any problems.
·        Take extra care crossing roads - more accidents happen to children in the dark.
·        Dress to be seen - wear light, reflective clothes or carry a lamp or torch so that drivers and your responsible adult can see you.
·        Respect people’s rights - be polite, don’t go out too late, ring or knock only once, and be prepared to take no for an answer.
·        Don’t throw eggs or flour- it’s classed as a criminal offence and you will be arrested.

Halloween is quickly followed by bonfire night.  Please make sure you enjoy yourselves but remain safe and attend organised firework displays.  Visit the local events section on www.safe4autumn.com to find out what’s happening in your area.

For further information contact: Russell Lawson, Metropolitan Divisional Communications Officer, on 0161 856 61374/2284 or 07825 116728

1 February 2010

It’s the time to be jolly and guard against the festive thief.

Out shopping 

• Have your wallet/purse close to your body and don’t carry too much money
• If you travel by car make sure you park in a well lit area, lock all doors and windows and don’t leave presents on view

At home 

• Keep your presents out of sight, don’t leave them under the tree for thieves to see
• Keep a note of the frame numbers of bikes, and serial numbers of new electrical equipment, register them free of charge on the national database visit www.immobilise.com
• If buying a bike secure it with a Sold Secure D lock visit http://www.soldsecure.com/
• Avoid leaving the boxes of new products by the bin
• If you go out for the evening make it look as though someone is at home, close curtains and use timers for lights and radios
• As a fire precaution don’t leave Christmas lights on when you go out
• Away for the holidays – try not to leave items of value in an empty house consider asking a trusted friend or neighbour to watch over your home

Out on the town 

• Before you set off for a night out plan how to return home
• Make sure someone knows where you are going and what time you will be back
• If using a cash machine withdraw what you need in the daylight
• Be aware of your surroundings, keep to busy well- lit routes and keep mobile phones and ipods out of sight
• Keep wallets and purses close to your body, avoid carrying a bag if you can
• Stay with friends - only black cabs are insured to pick up passengers on the streets, private cabs have to be pre booked 

The advice given is based on current crime trends, views are expressed on what measures might reduce

SHOP WITH A COP

Reporters, photographers and camera crews are invited to join officers from the Gorton and Levenshulme Neighbourhood Policing Team on a ‘shop with a cop’ walkabout in Gorton district centre. The team will be offering advice to shoppers on how to keep themselves and their Christmas purchases safe from opportunistic thieves and robbers.


Date: Tuesday 8^th December

Time: 12:30pm

Venue: Gorton Police Station, Garratt Way, Gorton, M18 8HE

The nearer it gets to 25December, the busier the shops become and when there are so many presents to buy it’s easy to forget some basic personal safety rules.

This Christmas, officers and PCSOs from the Gorton and Levenshulme Neighbourhood Policing Team will be carrying out high visibility patrols around Gorton district centre to deter criminals from visiting the area and to offer advice to shoppers on how they can keep themselves and their Christmas purchases safe.

Sergeant Andy Beasley said: “We want to send the message loud and clear to criminals not to bother visiting the area as they will be caught and dealt with accordingly.

“Christmas is one of the busiest times of the year for the area around Gorton Market and the safety of shoppers is paramount. Officers and PCSOs will be out and about daily, ensuring that everyone has a great time while shopping for Christmas presents whilst being aware of the steps that they can take to secure their personal safety.”

The Neighbourhood Policing Team will be reminding everyone visiting the area of the following safety tips:

·        Don’t get loaded down with too many bags and return to your car intermittently to drop them off
·        If you spot a thief or pickpocket, alert the police or security staff. Avoid confrontation whenever possible
·        Don’t carry large amounts of cash. If you have to, keep it well hidden and only get it out in the shop
·        Be careful where you park your car, especially if you will be returning to it after dark. Use well-lit, manned car parks wherever possible
·        Don’t leave lots of presents on show in a parked car as they could tempt thieves. Always use the boot and make sure your parcel shelf is in place
·        Keep car doors locked whilst driving in built up areas

2^nd December 2009

Greater Manchester Police’s Metropolitan Division is urging motorists to remove all valuables from their vehicles after 163 car crimes were recorded in the area during the past month.

In 141 of these incidents, personal possessions were stolen from the vehicle, with the total value of items taken amounting to £37,099.84. That’s an average cost of £263.12 to each victim.

Satellite navigation systems were the most popular items with 36 stolen throughout November.

Officers are reminding vehicle owners to take simple steps to avoid becoming the next victim of crime.

Inspector Sarah Morton from the Rusholme, Fallowfield and Whalley Range Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “Thieves are always on the lookout for an easy take and by leaving valuables and personal possessions on show, we are making their jobs much simpler.

“It is very stressful to find that your vehicle has been broken into and repairing smashed windows and windscreens can prove costly so it is important we take steps to prevent offender stealing our property.”

26th October 2009

Rusholme Fallowfield & Whalley Range Neighbourhood Policing Team

Reducing burglary is a priority for the Rusholme, Fallowfield and Whalley Range Neighbourhood Policing Team. The Forcewide initiative, Operation Storm, will continue throughout autumn and winter and as part of this, we will be running our own burglary operation, Operation Afresh, which will implement covert patrols, offender targeting and high visibility policing in hotspot areas.

Whalley Range is emerging as a burglary hotspot area and we are continuing to work with our partners such as Manchester City Council and housing associations to provide a long-term solution to this problem. Through our Respect Action activity, officers are visiting homes offering advice on how residents can improve the security of their home and discourage burglars from attempting to get inside.

Another priority for the Neighbourhood Policing Team will be welcoming the new in-take of university students to the area. Manchester is a friendly city with a buzzing social calendar and those who have decided to spend three years or more here studying have made a fantastic decision. By following a few simple safety rules, all students can make sure that their time is spent enjoying themselves with friends and attending lectures rather than falling victim to crime.

We have a series of Respect Action days planned in the student areas, alerting them on ways to keep themselves and their property safe. Officers will also be giving safety talks at halls of residences to all first year students. Operation Torch will implement covert patrols and high visibility policing to address the traditional spike in robbery that coincides with the return of the students and I would like to remind everyone to keep expensive gadgets such as ipods and mobiles hidden when out in public and to always be in a group when returning home from a night out.

Our Safer Schools officers will also be working with secondary school pupils to ensure that seasonal events such as Halloween and Bonfire Night are enjoyable for everyone. On both evenings, high visibility police patrols will be implemented, and we would urge parents to ask their children to cooperate with police officers.

We have recently seen high success rates in our engagement with young people across the area. Operation Baton ran throughout the summer to address anti-social behaviour and to point young people to diversionary activities. The operation saw a significant reduction in occurrences of anti-social behaviour, almost 50% in the Fallowfield area, and I would like to thank Sergeant Richard Thompson for his dedication and hard work.

By visiting http://www.gmp.police.uk/live/nhoodv3.nsf/index-communities.html?ReadForm&Division=Metropolitan&Area=Rusholme%20and%20Fallowfield, you will be able to see our neighbourhood priorities. Over the summer, we have carried out two Respect Action days in each ward, working with the community to identify the issues that need to be addressed. Through partnership working with Manchester City Council, we hope to see a visible improvement in the areas that you as a community have identified for us as a priority. Feedback to residents will be provided over the next three months.