Taskforce set up to tackle burglaries

It was revealed at a meeting of Oldham’s full council meeting that a number of shops in the town centre have been broken into, with some being targeted more than once.

Cabinet member for police and community safety Cllr Ateeque Ur-Rehman told members that a taskforce has now been set up to investigate repeat offences of "serious acquisitive crime".

He was responding to a question from Cllr Chris Gloster, who asked whether theft and burglary were "no longer a priority for police in Shaw and Crompton".

Cllr Gloster said: “Shaw town centre businesses are currently experiencing a crime wave in that numerous premises have either been broken into or suffered an attempt, some on repeat occasions.

“Shaw and Crompton councillors have called police to a meeting of the community forum to be told CCTV would be helpful.

“Traders who are also victims of crime have fed back to us that although the Greater Manchester Police are aware of the crime, they have CCTV evidence available, it’s not being collected and the crimes are not being further investigated due to lack of threat, harm or risk.

“Does this mean that theft and burglary are no longer a priority for the police across Shaw and Crompton – despite seeing a Twitter feed off the chief constable today that says that burglary is.”

Cllr Ateeque Ur-Rehman said: “In relation to the issues in Shaw, Inspector Stewart Wilson has led in preparing a plan for reducing burglaries in Shaw.

“As part of this plan, two weeks ago the police established a dedicated team to investigate repeat offences of serious acquisitive crime including burglaries and robberies.

“The neighbourhood policing team will arrange to brief councillors about this plan.

“Can I also reassure Cllr Gloster that in my regular meeting with the chief inspector Neil Evans, amongst other things, I also raised this matter of burglaries in Shaw with him and he has assured me a proper briefing will be arranged with the local councillors.”