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37 arrests in burglary crackdown

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37 arrests in burglary crackdown
More than 30 people have been arrested during a major police operation against burglaries across Northern Ireland.

Operation Converter ran across the four Urban Districts covering areas including Belfast, Greater Belfast, Down and Antrim.

A total of 37 people were arrested, with 83 charges brought against suspected offenders.

The charges include 30 for burglary and more than 50 for associated offences, including car crime, and several reports were made to the Public Prosecution Service.

A significant amount of suspected stolen jewellery was also recovered during a house search.

Detectives are working on linking the recovered jewellery to a number of daytime burglaries across the greater Belfast area.

'Successful'

The officer in charge of the operation, Detective Chief Inspector Ian Wilson, said the operation had been very successful.

"We know that burglary is a big concern for members of the public. People's homes are violated and the distress caused can live on long after the stolen property is replaced," he said.

"This operation was about sending out a very clear that message if you commit a burglary you will be robustly pursued.

"Detectives will continue to carry out very thorough investigations, and are firmly committed to converting all evidence into arrests and charges, ensuring that those that are wreaking misery on others are brought before the courts."

Ulster Unionist MLA for North Down and Northern Ireland Policing Board member, Leslie Cree, welcomed the operation, against a backdrop of rising levels of domestic burglaries.

He said: "Domestic burglary has a very serious impact upon an individual's feelings of safety in their own home. It is a crime that has lasting effects on the victims involved.

"It also has repercussions for the neighbours and friends of victims. This in turn increases fear of crime, often amongst the most vulnerable in our society."

© UTV News

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At 13:43 on 03 November 2009, catherine wrote:
My mothers home was burgled last week. The PSNI were not that great for help, although they got the burglar they had to let him go without charge. They found the druggy burglar in the hospital on an overdose.
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