PROLIFIC burglars are being locked up which has meant no break-ins in 36 hours - a welcome result which one senior detective says is practically unheard of.
DI Dave Knight of Proactive CID said today (Thursday) there had been no burglaries in that time across South Worcestershire which includes Worcester, Malvern, Pershore and Evesham, describing the situation as 'unprecedented'.
Typically, South Worcestershire experiences three to four burglaries in a 24-hour period, says the DI, but this had fallen dramatically.
However, DI Knight says members of the team are never complacent as they seek to apprehend burglars and advise the public on how they can reduce their risk of becoming victims.
DI Knight, based at Worcester Police Station in Castle Street, said: "We have had no burglaries of any kind reported to us in the past 36 hours across the whole of South Worcestershire.
"This is unprecedented and shows we have been arresting the right individuals. It's a devastating crime having your home broken into as it is such an invasion of privacy, often at night, when people feel most vulnerable.
"The South Worcestershire burglary teams sole focus is to lock up burglars and West Mercia take this sort of offending seriously which is why they dedicate teams to its disruption and investigation."
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We have reported recently on a series of significant arrests, including that of a couple who fled over rooftops but were cornered before they could escape.
DI Knight has praised the work of DS Grant Fraser, who leads the burglary team.
Eagle-eyed DS Fraser spotted the burglars running away over rooftops. The experienced detective sprinted after them, cornering them in a yard.
A Volkswagen Golf was stolen during a car key burglary in Hylton Road, St John's, over the weekend.
However, the stolen vehicle was intercepted by uniformed officers on patrol in the early hours of Tuesday morning, the police car blocking off the escape of the suspects in Oldbury Road, St John's. Two 16-year-olds were arrested on suspicion of burglary.
One was released on police bail. The other has been charged with taking the vehicle without the owner's consent and released with 'stringent bail conditions'. The burglary itself remains under investigation.
A suspect has also been arrested following a string of burglaries in Malvern between May 29 and June 5 including in Lambourne Avenue and Crystal Crescent.
The arrest, carried out by West Midlands Police, seems to have helped reduce house burglaries in Malvern said DI Knight.
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