17 people arrested in Loughborough over a spate of burglaries

After an increase of burglaries in central Loughborough, where multi-occupancy homes had been targeted, Op Weather was launched leading to 17 arrests.

At its worst, there were on average two burglaries a day, which has now dropped to one every other day. Thankfully, no offences had been reported between the 20th to the 29th February which is already a step in the right direction.

Loughborough police have launched a crime prevention and enforcement campaign doing joint crime prevention visits to students homes with Community wardens as well as taking part in highly visible patrols and undertaking covert activity.

In addition, second hand shops are also being checked by officers to ensure that they are not accidentally accepting stolen goods and selling it on to the public. Thankfully, they’ve referred a number of offenders to the Integrated Offender Management Team, which is where regular offenders are managed jointly by partner agencies working together.

Sgt Rich Gibson, from Loughborough Central spoke to the Loughborough Echo and said: “It is very satisfying to see the number of burglaries falling again and to have made so many arrests.

“Eight people have been charged with burglary and a range of other offences including theft, receiving stolen goods and possession of an offensive weapon. Four of those eight people have been remanded into custody. Since the arrests the number of offences have fallen dramatically.”

He also encouraged the public, especially students, to keep their homes secure and to not assume that another one of their house mates will lock the property. Gibson also said to report suspicious activity to the police as soon as possible.

Jenny Ardley, a Loughborough University Community Warden, also spoke to the Echo and said: “It is pleasing that recent enforcement activity has had a positive impact and that the number of burglaries has dropped as a result.

“Students and other local residents must however take responsibility for crime prevention going forward and report suspicious behaviour if they see any.

“The University’s Community Warden Team will continue to work hard to reinforce these messages when and where we can, working in association with our colleagues from the Police and Charnwood Borough Council.”