Major Crackdown On Robberies In Liverpool's Crime Hotspots

Liverpool's main crime hotspots are being targeted in a major new crackdown.

Operation Aquila’ campaign tomorrow (Wednesday 21st October). The Liverpool-wide operation aims to reduce business robberies and house burglaries by giving shopkeepers hi-tech devices such as smoke cloaks and doorway sprays which foil criminals trying to steal from them. Last year’s operation (Aquila 1) saw business robberies in north Liverpool reduced by 52 per cent and in hotspot neighbourhoods by 45 per cent compared to the year before. And house burglaries were driven down by around 17 per cent as the public became more security-conscious following a high profile police advertising campaign across the city. On Wednesday, two giant ad-vans will start in the car park of Tesco on County Road before moving around key locations in north and south Liverpool where they will warn would-be robbers and burglars that ‘One spray will put you away’ as well as offering crime prevention tips to passers-by. The same messages will appear on buses and on billboards throughout the city this autumn as the police gear up with Liverpool city council to protect local residents and businesses during the busiest time of year for acquisitive crime. Superintendent Jenny Sims , who has co-ordinated the operation along with Inspector Sue Stribling, said publicising the risks that criminals faced thanks to the technology was key to reducing acquisitive crime in the city. She said: “With the nights drawing in and with Christmas fast approaching it is important that we do everything we can to protect local businesses from criminals who might be tempted to rob, burgle or steal from them. “We also need to help residents know how they can best keep their homes safe and secure so that they do not become a tempting target for opportunistic thieves who spot a downstairs window left open or a back door unlocked.

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