Life in Lancashire's burglary hotspot where pensioners live in fear and crooks plague homes
When Lancashire Police responded to a 999 call from a frail pensioner in Blackpool, they were met with a heartbreaking scene.
Sadly this was not an isolated incident. New figures reveal Blackpool ranks eighth nationally for burglary, robbery and theft offences. The crime rates have not gone unmarked by Lancashire Police who last year launched Op Defender, to tackle domestic burglaries. In the last year, officers have arrested more than 1,000 people for burglary and robbery offences, with 69% of burglary victims now saying they are satisfied with the police's response to their report.
Elsewhere in the resort, hotels, B&Bs and residential properties were tar geted by Terry Ward, a career criminal who has been burgling since the age of 12. The one man crimewave carried a burgling kit in his backpack, complete with plyers, screwdrivers and a half set of scissors, to enable him to enter properties and help himself to bank cards and wallets, to feed his long term drug habit.
Supt Derry Crorken, force lead for Op Defender, said: “We know that burglary is an incredibly personal, and invasive crime which can shatter confidence and feelings of safety. Everyone has a right to feel safe and be safe in their homes and nobody should ever have to experience being burgled. That is why we are committed to ensuring victims get the best possible service, including an officer going to their address.
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