Prolific Bolton burglar jailed following multi-force collaboration

Alex Rigby (09/03/1982) of Stonesteads Way, Bolton has been sentenced at Preston Crown Court on Friday 13 October 2023 to seven years imprisonment and disqualified from driving for a period totalling three years and six months after an investigation was launched into a number of linked burglaries.

Working in partnership with neighbouring forces, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) alongside Lancashire Constabulary, Merseyside Police and North Wales Police all played a key part in bringing Rigby to justice.

Rigby was initially arrested in mid-April 2023 by Lancashire Constabulary in relation to a number of burglary and driving offences which occurred between the 12th to the 16th of April 2023.

During the extensive investigation Rigby was also identified by Greater Manchester Police, Merseyside Police and North Wales Police as being involved in further burglary offences in their own respective force areas.

Bolton’s Neighbourhood Priority Crime Team led the investigation for GMP and arrested Rigby a month later in May 2023 after his blood had been found inside the address of one of his victims.

After collating evidence, Rigby was found responsible for seven burglary offences in the Greater Manchester area between February 2023 and March 2023, where he targeted his victims’ homes during the day when he was satisfied that they had left. Using the tactic of smashing the rear glass door, stealing valuable and sentimental items.

Alex Rigby

As a result of the collaborative work by all forces involved, he was ultimately convicted for over 40 offences.

PC Sam Burgess of Bolton's Neighbourhood Priority Crime Team said; "This has been a detailed investigation that involved working in partnership between multiple police forces.

“The result shows a clear message that we take these offences seriously and are determined to tackle crime that impacts the communities of Bolton and Greater Manchester as well assisting our colleagues to achieve the same in Lancashire, Merseyside Police and North Wales.

“Please continue to report any incidents direct to police by calling 101 and always dial 999 in an emergency.”

For more information to help secure your home, please read our guidance under Op Castle, where we will send an officer to every domestic burglary across Greater Manchester: Protecting your home from crime | Crime prevention | Greater Manchester Police (gmp.police.uk)