23
May
2014
By Calvin at 09:10 GMT, 12 years ago
A new operation has been launched by South Yorkshire Police in a bid to catch boiler thieves in the act in Sheffield.
Police and Sheffield City Council officers, working in partnership, have launched ‘Operation Kingbird’, which involves setting up covert cameras and alarms in properties in hotspot areas where boilers are frequently stolen.
As well as catching thieves in the act, it is also hoped that the operation will act as a deterrent to criminals who have been targeting properties in these areas.
The ‘trap houses’ are being set up in council-owned properties in areas of the city including Gleadless Valley, Hillsborough, Sharrow and Lowedges.
The homes will be fitted with covert cameras and alarms, which will trigger a police response to any movement. Trackers and SmartWater – a chemically coded liquid that makes items uniquely traceable – will also be fitted onto items, so that they can be recovered if stolen.
Detective Inspector Richard Partridge, who is taking the lead on Operation Kingbird, said: “Operation Kingbird is a multi-agency response to the ongoing issue of boiler thefts in Sheffield, and we’re making really positive strides.
“While there has not been a rise in such thefts over the last 12 months, the theft of boilers is a crime which causes particular damage to our communities.
“Not only does it create an additional cost to the public purse, due to the local authority having to pay for the replacement of these heating systems, but when a boiler is removed there are safety implications for both the thief and for people living in neighbouring properties.”
DI Partridge said that the stolen boilers are typically either sold on for scrap, or are fitted in other properties.
“This, again, causes safety issues as it raises the question as to whether these boilers are being fitted correctly”, he said.
“The fact is that those involved in this type of crime know how to get into the homes they are targeting, they know how to dismantle the boilers and they know where to take them.
“Operation Kingbird aims to catch them in the act and significantly reduce the number of boiler thefts in Sheffield.”
Janet Sharpe, council housing service interim director at Sheffield City Council, said: “We are taking the problem of boiler theft seriously and have been working with the police and local communities, leading to two convictions since the start of the year. There are also an ongoing number of investigations taking place.
“We are continuing to work on our own initiatives, which include not fitting new boilers until new tenants move in.
“All new boilers are Sheffield Council-security marked, which makes the boilers much harder to sell on. Security marking has already resulted in a successful conviction since the start of the year.
“In hotspot areas, we fit security brackets above boilers and alarms which are directly linked to security contractors. We also use security screening and alarms to protect vulnerable empty properties.
“Tenants’ rent money that could be used to pay for services, pays to replace these boilers and we encourage everyone to report any suspicious activity to the police.”
Anyone with information about boiler thefts should call and South Yorkshire Police on 101. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
Source South Yorkshire Police: http://www.southyorks.police.uk/news-syp/operation-launched-combat-boiler-thefts
