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Stinger success

Northumbria Police

28 December 2011


Another man has appeared in court charged with burgling a stinger house in Newcastle.
The 24-year-old appeared at Newcastle Crown Court on Wednesday, December 21, charged with burgling the police stinger house plus two homes at Ladykirk Road, all in Benwell.
He was remanded in custody to appear at a future date to be notified. The alleged offences took place on October 7, 10 and 15 this year.
The appearance follows the sentencing of Paul Freeman, 26, from Gerald Street in Benwell, who was sentenced to a 12-month community order and has to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work.
Meanwhile Joshua Tumilty, 19, of Colston Street in Newcastle, previously pleaded guilty to burglary and appeared at Newcastle Crown Court last month, where his sentence was deferred.
They both broke into the 'homes' - set up by Northumbria Police as a "sting" to catch burglars in the act in the city's west end. Police are warning the operation will continue into across Christmas and into the New Year.
The sting houses are part of a crackdown on burglaries in the west end and across the city which form part of the Northumbria Police 'Don't let thieves steal your Christmas' campaign, aimed at cracking down on thieves and keeping people safe during the festive season.
The operation in the west end also includes high profile patrols in key places at key times, pro-actively stopping known criminals and working with second hand shops together with covert tactics.
As a result of the operation - primarily focused around the Benwell terraces following a spate of incidents there - there has been 28 fewer offences during December compared to November.
Newcastle West Neighbourhood Inspector, Leigh McManus, said: "The stinger houses have proven a vital part of the operation and we're warning any suspected burglars that houses are still operating over Christmas and into the New Year.
"There have been two people sentenced so far for burgling the houses and there are more going through the court process. The rigged homes are part of a wider operation taking place to prevent burglaries in the west end and it's already proving successful with large reductions in the targeted areas.
"I hope local residents are reassured that we're using every tool and tactic at our disposal to continue to prevent burglaries taking place in the area."