Police hand deliver letters to criminals

Detectives battling to stop an alarming spike in house burglaries across Peterborough are sending letters to dozens of known offenders in the city, warning: "We're on your case". Senior officers admit an increase in burglaries is "a concern" and have launched a three-month crackdown, codenamed Operation Alert, aimed at driving the figures down.

Part of the operation will include an unusual tactic – 60 known burglars are to get hand-delivered letters warning them to go straight or face the full weight of the law.

The initiative will be backed up with action as officers keep the 60 under close surveillance – putting the worst offenders under intense pressure by visiting them in their homes up to three times a week.



The letter warns: "We have identified you as being among a group of people suspected of being involved in burglaries in Peterborough. I would like to stress how seriously we take this type of crime, and I can assure you that over the coming weeks we will be fighting it on a number of fronts, including regular visits to you and others across the city.

"Therefore, if you are currently involved in burglary, our message is simple: either stop, or we will use the full range of powers at our disposal to catch and convict you."

Operation Alert is the brainchild of Detective Inspector Neil Sloan, who heads up Peterborough's priority crime team. The letters tactic is being launched because police do not have enough evidence to link particular individuals to unsolved crimes.