BURGLARY and car crime have fallen in Washington.
Police carried out a crime prevention scheme in partnership with Sunderland Housing Group and the Galleries shopping centre.
During the operation, which took place in December and last month, house burglaries fell from 179 to 78 a month. There were more than 30 arrests for burglary and handling stolen goods.
PC Joe Watson said: "We concentrated on preventing crime by advising residents to take simple but sensible precautions, and worked with security staff at busy shopping areas to help prevent cars being broken into or stolen.
"Extra patrols by police and security staff at the Galleries had a dramatic effect.
"There were no reports of theft from vehicles between Christmas Eve and mid-January, despite it being a busy time for retailers."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article