Manchester Police Battle Bus to drive down burglaries

16 August 2009

Operation Storm, Greater Manchester Police’s drive to reduce burglaries and increase detections is bringing a new tactic to bear across the county this summer.

A custom-fitted and branded Burglary Battle Bus is criss – cross the county stopping in communities where local Neighbourhood Policing Team officers work from the bus to encourage residents to follow simple crime reduction advice such as locking doors and windows and using burglar alarms. One in three burglaries are still down to criminals taking advantage of insecure properties.

They also urge residents to report criminal and suspicious behaviour either directly to police on 0161 872 5050 or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Residents are invited to board the bus to get information and discuss local concerns with neighbourhood officers. They are also offered free burglary information packs that contain discount vouchers for security equipment at high street DIY stores.

The bus is being used to target two communities each weekday. At weekends it is based in shopping centres, community and sporting events and other busy locations.

Greater Manchester Police is operating this initiative in partnership with First Bus, who have provided the bus and Crimestoppers, an independent charity working to fight crime.

The Battle Bus has been given a total external make-over with Operation Storm’s Bang Up Burglars branding. An internal re-fit means that it provides comfortable seating and table areas, storage units, a music system and electrical points that can be used to run multi-media presentations.

Detective Chief Superintendent Russ Jackson who is leading Operation Storm said: “With Storm generally and the Battle Bus tactic in particular, we are taking the fight to the burglars, targeting them in their communities and encouraging the people that they are hurting to give us the information we need on them to put these heartless offenders behind bars.

"Storm has made a real difference in its first six weeks of operation. During the week of action in July alone, over 600 officers carried out 150 raids across the county resulting in more than 250 arrests. It has also provided a rich vein of intelligence on these criminals that will lead to many more of them being brought to justice in the next couple of months.

“Storm is getting the message home to burglars that there is nowhere from them to hide and we will be putting them away soon.

“The Battle Bus will let all our communities know that we mean business and that they can help by providing us with the information we need to bang up burglars.”

Claire Johnson, Commercial Director, First in Manchester said: “We are pleased to be working in co-operation with Greater Manchester Police to get the message out to our local communities on the safety and security of their homes. Please look out for the bright yellow burglary bus and take advantage of the free information packs available on board.”