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Police in Trafford arrested more than 140 burglars, robbers and thieves last week (18 – 24 January) during the first major clampdown of the New Year.

High impact enforcement activity across the borough saw officers making 35 raids on the homes of suspected criminals. Two cannabis farms were uncovered, one at Churchill Road in Broadheath where 11 plants and £3000 cash were seized and one at Langham Court in Stretford where 17 plants with a total value of £465 were seized.

The crackdown was part of Operation Storm that was set up last June to reduce burglaries and increase convictions.

To date Operation Storm has helped reduce burglary in Trafford by 3.3 per cent when comparing figures from 1 April last year to 24 January this year to the same period in 2008 / 09. This equates to 37 fewer families being subjected to this distressing crime.

As part of the crackdown officers have been serving warrants, checking offenders are complying with bail and curfew conditions and visiting persistent criminals and those recently released from prison to check on their activities.

Officers from Trafford’s Volume Crime Unit have been supported by neighbourhood policing teams and specialist officers from the mounted, dog, tactical aid and road policing units in this latest clean-up. Court Enforcement Officers have also been arresting offenders for non-payment of fines.

PCSOs have been visiting hundreds of homes in crime hotspot areas to give crime reduction advice. They have also been helping people visiting supermarkets, shopping centres and other public places register their valuables on Immobilise.com to increase their chances of having recovered stolen property returned to them.

Chief Superintendent Mark Roberts said: “We want this positive start to the year to send out a clear message to those committing burglaries across Trafford that their actions will not be tolerated and we will be targeting offenders in their homes, in their communities and on the streets doing everything in our power to bring them to justice.

“Residents can play their part in this fight against these criminals by refusing to buy goods they suspect have been stolen, reporting their suspicions to us either directly or anonymously through Crimestoppers and following simple crime reduction advice.

“A third of burglaries are still down to people leaving doors and windows open or unlocked. By locking up, using alarms and keeping burglars guessing by leaving a light on when you go out you can dramatically reduce your chances of falling victim to this distressing crime.”

Across Greater Manchester, 1,281 arrests were made while officers also carried out more than 200 raids on the properties of suspected criminals.

This latest blitz on burglars and thieves follows two weeks of action in June and October last year that saw officers arresting more than 900 offenders across Greater Manchester.

Police say a key component of this success has been the information provided by the public on suspicious activity and officers are keen for residents to keep it coming in, either directly to them on 0161 872 50 50 or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.