THE POLICE have thanked locals for their vigilance and help in providing information after around 20 arrests were made in connection to recent commercial crimes in Saddleworth.
There were almost 30 linked commercial offences across Oldham from November 1, 2015 to February 10, 2016 – compared to 14 in the same period a year ago.
Greenfield, Uppermill and Lydgate suffered 11 offences, six more in Saddleworth West and Lees, and another two in Dobcross and Delph, mainly overnight at licensed or retail premises.
But since February 10, there have only been a handful of linked offences across the area as police say the spate seems to have been halted.
PC Jon Marsden told the Saddleworth District and Lees Partnership meeting in March: “Over the last few weeks the rate has dropped significantly to a normal level.
“We have made people aware of what was happening and both individuals and businesses were more vigilant.
“They have been coming to us a lot more with information and that has been a massive help.
“We have a squad at Oldham working on it and have made a number of significant arrests over the last three weeks.
“Around 20 people have been arrested so far and we think we have got the key players.”
In an attempt to tackle the crime rise in Saddleworth over the last three months, extra police were sent to the area and there was also a mounted police presence.
And some locals have also been helping out, including Dez Richardson and Gary Winterbottom who carried out night-time patrols to monitor the area.
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