Bolton named 6th least safe in the UK for burglaries

A new study has found that there was a total of 6.57 burglaries per 1,000 people in Bolton in 2021.

This actually represents a positive change in the town. In 2017 that figure was 8.59 per 1,000 people – almost a 24 per cent decrease in burglaries.

Detective Chief Inspector Paul Rollinson, of Greater Manchester Police’s (GMP) Bolton district, says that police in the town are committed to delivering an outstanding service, and have made concerted effort to combat this “despicable crime” and support its victims.

“Burglary can have a significant impact on people, and there are a number of things that we as a district and the wider force are doing to prevent offences from taking place and target offenders,” he said.

“Under Operation Castle, GMP has made a commitment to attend every residential burglary reported to us.

“We have also improved the training that our officers receive in relation to responding to burglary incidents, highlighted evidence-based approaches to solving burglaries to our new recruits, introduced force-wide burglary packs which helps to upskill our officers and equip them with everything they need to support victims, and are ensuring we conduct a thorough investigation and improve the service victims receive.”

In April this year, police in Bolton established a new dedicated burglary team, Det Chief Insp Rollinson explained.

“Since its inception, the team has provided a dedicated response to the investigation of all burglaries and, as a result, has identified linked series and patterns which has resulted in 58 arrests relating to burglary so far and seen a significant reduction in the number of offences being committed.

58 arrests have been made in connection to burglaries since new dedicated team was installed in April this year

“We will continue to take robust action against those that we believe are responsible by adopting a disruption-based model and actively targeting offenders, arresting them, and bringing them to justice, because we know the misery that their actions cause to our communities.

Greater Manchester on the whole did not come out of this research that was conducted by home insurance experts Confused.com looking particularly good. Bolton's neighbours Salford were found to have the 10th worst record and Bury was the 14th least safe.

Also in the top 15 was Tameside, and Manchester was deemed the second least safe place in the country in 2021.

Last year there were 7.6 per cent more burglaries per 1,000 people in Manchester than in Bolton.

Det Chief Insp Rollinson added: "If you have information that will help us to bring burglars and handlers of stolen goods to justice, there are a number of ways to contact GMP, via the LiveChat or reporting function on our website, by calling 101 or by speaking to your local officers or PCSOs.

“You can also pass on information anonymously through CrimeStoppers by calling 0800 555 111. Always dial 999 in an emergency.”

If you have a story or something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at lewis.finney@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on Twitter @lewisfinney18