Police have arrested more than 30 prolific burglars in just ten days in a major crime blitz.

Detectives, uniformed officers and scenes of crime specialists from Airedale and North Bradford Police have been combating burglars 24 hours a day in communities across the area.

Police have warned that those convicted can expect stiff sentences. Last week, repeat offender Steve Gibson, of Shipley, was jailed for eight years for burglaries in Shipley, Cottingley, Keighley and thefts.

As part of the burglary blitz, officers mounted extra-visible and plain-clothes patrols at burglary ‘hotspots’ in the division and targeted known offenders seen on the streets at anti-social hours.

Detectives and scientific staff fast-tracked crime scene results to gain the best evidence to put to those arrested.

They have been supported by Roads Policing Teams and the Force Dog Section, who have been providing extra officers for Bradford, Airedale and Keighley.

Officers have also been spending cash confiscated from criminals to help residents better protect their homes.

Neighbourhood Policing Officers in the Worth Valley have provided hundreds of new door locks, while colleagues in Wharfedale set up ‘no cold call’ zones.

Detective Chief Inspector Steve Thomas, of Airedale and North Bradford Police, said: “We hope this operation sends out a message that we are using every resource at our disposal to arrest, target and disrupt those who seem to think it is acceptable to steal from others.

“By focusing our resources in this way and calling in support from colleagues we have been able to target known burglars round the clock and bring pressure to bear on offenders.”

  • Read the full story in Tuesday's T&A