Police anti-burglary operation expands across Rotherham

A POLICE operation that has proven to prevent and tackle break-ins and thefts across South Yorkshire will now see thousands more homes and businesses protected in Rotherham.
Rotherham PCSOs Steven Inglis and Claire Ryan with Sgt Craig Cooke.Rotherham PCSOs Steven Inglis and Claire Ryan with Sgt Craig Cooke.
Rotherham PCSOs Steven Inglis and Claire Ryan with Sgt Craig Cooke.

Following a successful pilot in the Swinton area, Operation Shield will now be introduced in homes across Dinnington, Rawmarsh, Boston Castle and Kimberworth.

This operation sees officers working with residents to mark their valuable items with a unique forensic solution. The liquid, which is invisible to the human eye, contains a unique code registered to individuals and properties.

The liquid can also transfer onto offenders while committing a burglary and, if the offender is arrested, ultraviolet lights in the police custody suites detect the fluid on individuals, their property or any uncovered stolen items.

Chief Inspector for Rotherham Neighbourhoods, Paul Ferguson said: "Since introducing Operation Shield in Swinton, we have had a huge amount of interest from residents in other areas of Rotherham.  We are looking forward to working with even more people to further reduce burglary in our borough.

“I hope this sends a very clear message that we will do everything in our power to stop burglaries and the circulation of stolen property in Rotherham.”

Over 800 homes have been protected in Swinton since the initiative launched in May 2019.

A second initiative, Op Shield’s ‘We don’t buy crime’ concept, adopts a similar tactic for businesses.

Second-hand dealers are given access to the database of marked property around the country, as well as an ultraviolet torch so they can detect the liquid themselves. This way, businesses are able to avoid unwittingly taking in stolen items.

To sign up for your home to be protected, contact your Neighbourhood Policing Team via SYP alerts or email the relevant address with your name, address and contact details:

Boston Castle & Kimberworth: [email protected]

Dinnington: [email protected]