37 arrested in burglary crackdown
Tuesday November 03 2009
Anti-burglary raids in the North have led to 37 arrests.
There were 83 charges brought covering car crime, theft and related offences as part of Operation Converter.
A significant amount of suspected stolen jewellery was also recovered during a house search.
Det chief inspector Ian Wilson said: "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. This operation was about sending out a very clear message that if you commit a burglary you will be robustly pursued."
There were 30 charges for burglary, 53 for associated offences including car crime and several reports were made to the Public Prosecution Service (PPS).
Officers spent the last week making arrests in Belfast and counties Down and Antrim. And detectives are working on linking the recovered jewellery to a number of daytime burglaries across the greater Belfast area.
Forensic evidence is continually being examined and processed across all policing districts.
Mr Wilson added: "Operation Converter helped co-ordinate all of that activity in a very focused way across the Belfast and greater Belfast area. It was about targeting those criminals that are targeting the community."
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."
