Police welcome sentencing of three men who carried out string of burglaries
Police have welcomed prison sentences totalling 11 years on three men who carried out a string of burglaries at homes across Shropshire and neighbouring counties.
Simon Davies, Leroy Currens and Luke Talbot were jailed for a total of 11 years at Shrewsbury Crown Court after admitting breaking into five homes during a 16-day spree during the summer in which property worth £18,000 was stolen.
Davies, aged 35, of Rushbury Road, Wellington was sentenced to five years, Currens (32), of Bromley Way, Telford, was jailed for three and a half years and Talbot (21), of Vauxhall Crescent, Newport, received two and a half years.
Shropshire's police commander, Superintendent James Tozer has pledged that reducing burglaries and arresting those who break into people's homes will remain one of his top priorities throughout 2013.
His comments come at a time when the volume of burglaries across Shropshire has fallen below last year's corresponding figure for the first time since April - a significant breakthrough after a surge in offences between March and June.
Detective Inspector Peter Brophy, head of Shropshire's Burglary Unit, said the sentences sent out a clear message that prolific burglars will receive significant custodial sentences.
He said: "Overall, this was a large scale investigation incorporating the management of burglary dwelling offences across Shropshire, Telford, Staffordshire and Cheshire.
"The length of sentence for burglary quite rightly highlights the magnitude of the overall scale of offending that this group were responsible for."
Shropshire's improved burglary figures follow the launching in September of Citadel, a West Mercia Police initiative aimed at reducing offences and detecting offenders. It involved a range of focussed operational tactics, a crime prevention advice campaign and an appeal for public support to pass on information about criminal or suspicious activity.
Superintendent Tozer said: "The latest figures are encouraging, both for us and the public.
"But I stress there is no room for complacency. If we are to maintain these trends to bring about further improvements, a sustained effort is needed from police officers and staff, our partners and the public working together across all Shropshire communities.
"Local people who care about their neighbourhoods can play a big part in reducing burglaries by contacting the police. Tell us when you see something suspicious - just call 101 to get through to our control rooms. Alternatively, call the anonymous Crimestoppers charity in confidence on 0800 555 111."
He said: "Our officers have been working tirelessly targeting known burglars to make sure they are brought to justice for the crimes they commit. Their hard work as part of Citadel is reflected by almost doubling the number of offenders who have so far been charged this year."
