Police operation reduces burglaries in West Lancashire by 20%

Jul 28 2011 by Gemma Jaleel, Ormskirk Advertiser

POLICE say a cross-border operation in West Lancashire has significantly reduced the number of burglaries in the borough.

Operation Coalition saw Lancashire Constabulary joining forces with Greater Manchester Police and Merseyside Police, to crack down on travelling criminals.

The operation involves a high-visibility police presence and officers doing stop-checks on people they suspect to be involved in criminal activity.

Between April 2010 and March 2011, burglary in a dwelling offences in West Lancashire reduced by 20.1 per cent to 290 compared to 363 between April 2009 and March 2010. All crime in the area fell by 9.3 per cent from 6,509 to 5,906 in the same period.

Sgt Steve Monk, said: “The initiative was launched to target criminals who travel to commit crime and to protect the borders of our county.”