SEVERAL prolific burglars have been locked up after a spate of burglaries in east Hull.
Police launched an operation after a rise in the number of shed and garage break-ins.
Undercover officers flooded the streets throughout the night to catch the thieves in the act.
Officers in uniform also carried out stop-checks on any suspicious people they saw.
Inspector Pete Ogden, head of the neighbourhood policing team for East and Park, said it has led to several burglars being caught and jailed.
At the height of the problem, there were about 40 break-ins every fortnight. In the first two weeks of June, there were just eight.
Insp Ogden said: "We were getting a lot of shed and garage burglaries, particularly in the area around Southcoates Lane and Marfleet Lane.
"We have done a lot of targeted police work and crime prevention, which has led to some good arrests of offenders. Some of those are now serving custodial sentences.
"This has led to a significant reduction in the number of shed and garage burglaries across the area."
As well as targeting burglars, officers have also worked with the city council to provide extra security measures for properties in the affected areas.
Measures included installing alarms and issuing advice to householders about how to reduce the risk of burglary.
Insp Ogden said: "It was a two- pronged attack. We had extra patrols right through the night, as that was when most of the offences were taking place.
"We used officers in plain clothes and in uniform and they were targeting the areas, as well as stopping and checking people they saw.
"Having them out in those areas meant they were ready to respond to any reports that came in, which has helped us towards these significant reductions.
"We are continuing to remind residents about the importance of keeping their property secure, particularly during the warmer months."
Gating schemes, which block off tenfoots frequently used by burglars, have been introduced at locations across the area.
Another is now being planned for Highfield in Sutton.
"Gating schemes are very effective," said Insp Ogden. "They can have a real impact in reducing crime."
Insp Ogden said there has also been a reduction in criminal damage in the area, which has been mirrored across Hull. Last month, there were 253 reports of vandalism across the city – the lowest monthly figure for five years.
"Criminal damage can be a random offence that is difficult to detect," said Insp Ogden.
"Some might be committing damage on their way home from the pub, but it can cause a lot of distress to victims and it increases people's fear of crime.
"In the East and Park area, though, criminal damage has reduced by a third over the past five years. There has been a lot of work put into patrolling damage hotspots and targeting repeat victims.
"We have been trying to make people aware of measures they can put in place to stop it happening."
Contact your neighbourhood policing team by visiting www.hum berside.police.uk or calling 101.
