Burglaries fall by a third in post-festive blitz

West Yorkshire Police launched Operation Venom in a pre-emptive effort to curb the traditional January increase in thefts across the county.

In an unprecedented mass deployment, all vehicles with the force’s insignia were dispatched simultaneously – trebling the normal number of police vehicles on the county’s roads at any one time.

Between last Wednesday and Sunday, there were 66 fewer burglaries than the same period last year – a fall of 33 per cent.

In Leeds and Bradford – which have among the worst rates in the country – break-ins were down 32 and 40 per cent respectively.

Superintendent Pat Casserly, who led the operation, said: “This was a highly visible and highly effective operation which helped us to further drive down crime and burglary.

“Our aim was to get as many vehicles out there as possible and transfer the fear of crime onto the criminals themselves. We’ve done that and the figures back up the difference this operation has made.”

January tends to see a significant rise in burglaries as thieves target homes thought to be full of Christmas presents.

During Operation Venom 25 vehicles were seized, mainly for being uninsured.

Six stolen vehicles were confiscated and 23 people were arrested for offences including burglary, robbery, money laundering and theft. More than 400 people were stopped by officers and 520 vehicles were checked over the five days.

Mr Casserley added: “While one burglary is still one too many, the activity that has taken place over the last four days, including the recovery of a number of stolen vehicles, along with ongoing legal proceedings against a number of people, shows the impact Venom has.”