Plans for policing patrols in villages

NEIGHBOURHOOD police officers are implementing "reassurance" patrol plans across Saddleworth.

The move is set against a burglary spike towards the end of last year, when teams of villains operating from across the Yorkshire border and Tameside targeted village properties and vehicles in a rash of raids.

However, police have made arrests and stemmed criminal activity, although January crime figures for Saddleworth still show burglaries from homes, businesses and vehicles.

Part of their high visibility remit to work with village communities is to ensure foot, bike and vehicle patrols are focussed on public accessibility.

The report says: "We need to increase our resilience both with regards to our home security and through vigilance. It's accepted we are seeing on a daily basis vehicles and individuals looking at geographic areas with criminal intentions."

They are urging locals to support the police motto: "If you see something - say something."

Their mission includes:

* High profile patrols in support of the night time economy.

* Continued high visibility patrols in the burglary hotspot areas collating intelligence and reassuring communities.

* To be accessible to all sections of the public by conducting surgeries.

But they warn continuing cold weather snaps bring their own "unique crime trends."

Some vehicles left running in front of houses or on driveways as they defrost have been targeted by thieves.

"Not only does this negate any insurance claim but a vehicle on a road and left unattended leaves the driver open to prosecution for the offence of quitting their vehicle," says the report.

Uppermill has become this month's hot spot for commercial burglaries and Grasscroft and Greenfield are cited in the report for suspicious vehicles.

Officers will also be watching for drivers using mobile phones - an offence which could see fines of £200 and six penalty points imposed from March 1 . Neighbourhood police officers a re also asked to report sites of damage or graffiti to Stan Mitchell and his team at: stan.mitchell@oldham.gov.uk

Officers are also asking organisers of local festivals, galas and fetes who may wish a police presence to email: neil.barker@gmp.pnn.police.uk.