Success for region-wide high-profile burglary operation

Four suspects have been charged after a series of high-value burglaries across the North East.

Three men and a woman, due in court today (Monday) after a complex operation which was led by the North East Regional Organised Crime Unit (NEROCU) with collaborative support from Northumbria Police, Staffordshire Police, West Midlands Police and Opal - which is the national intelligence unit focused on serious organised acquisitive crime.

The operation was launched following a series of high-value burglaries to homes in Newcastle, Sunderland, and Northumberland.

A specialist team from the NEROCU supported by Northumbria Police began investigating and linked three burglaries which occurred between January and April.

This included a burglary to a home on Middle Drive in Darras Hall on April 4, in which cash was stolen along with a car which was recovered abandoned close by.

Another burglary to a home on Clayton Road in Jesmond on the March 31, in which cash, designer wear and jewellery was stolen worth more than one million pounds.

Another burglary to a home on Woodlands Grove in Sunderland in which cash, designer wear and jewellery was stolen worth more than £100K.

After carefully gathering evidence and weeks of planning, officers were able to coordinate a strike on the group of suspects, aged 42, 31, 27 and 23, and arrested them on Friday (April 12) down in the West Midlands area, with the support of officers from West Midlands and Staffordshire Police.

The sting also resulted in vehicles being seized and some of the stolen property being recovered, with ongoing investigations to recover the rest.

The four, who are Croatian nationals who had recently travelled to the UK, were subsequently charged with three burglary dwelling offences and are due to appear before Bedlington Magistrates’ Court today.

The NEROCU lead, Detective Inspector Shaun Fordy, said: “This has been an outstanding display of partnership working and robust police work.

“This operation demonstrates that these types of crimes will not be tolerated in our region, and the incredible lengths we will go to protect our communities, and arrest those we believe are responsible.

“Under the banner of Operation Sentinel, we will continue to utilise partnership working to tackle all forms of Serious and Organised Crime.”

If you have any information about burglaries in your area, then please contact your local police force. Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.