BREAK-and-enters in the Tamworth area have nosedived after a coordinated crackdown by local police.
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More than 16 people have been charged with various offences as part of Operation Southbreak – a blitz by Oxley police targeting known offenders and those behind a spate of break-ins and thefts in the Tamworth area.
March saw the number of break-ins to houses in the city fall, more than halving January’s numbers, which peaked at 121 reports.
“The reported offences spiked at 121 incidents in January and reduced to 76 in February, in March there were 48,” Oxley Chief Inspector Phil O’Reilly said.
“So we're continuing that downward trend.”
The reported offences spiked at 121 incidents in January and reduced to 76 in February, in March there were 48.
- Oxley Chief Inspector Phil O’Reilly
Several people charged remain in custody or before the courts.
On Friday, The Leader revealed three Tamworth men had been charged, accused of aggravated break-and-enters across Tamworth following raids by police.
Officers raided homes on Calala Lane, Robert Street and Bourne Street in a co-ordinated operation on Thursday, and charged Jesse Leigh Green, Benjamin Kennedy and Bennie McCarthy with aggravated break-and-enter offences.
Several items, including goods like jewellery that is suspected of being stolen, was seized by police, and Chief Inspector O’Reilly said investigations were continuing.
All three men were refused bail by police before fronting court.
“We've been conducting pro-active operations with an ongoing police operation, code-named Operation Southbreak,” Chief Inspector O’Reilly said.
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“There were at least 16 arrests in that operation which is targeting property offences.”
The same crime blitz saw a dozen people arrested in January, with extra resources deployed onto the streets including undercover police, uniformed patrols and officers on bikes.
Chief Inspector O’Reilly said the operation would continue.
“There will be continued operations under Operation Southbreak, however, we can't address these issues alone,” he said.
We need community assistance to enhance their home security to provide less opportunities for offenders and report any suspicious activity when it is occurring.
- Oxley Chief Inspector Phil O’Reilly
“We need community assistance to enhance their home security to provide less opportunities for offenders and report any suspicious activity when it is occurring.”
Operation Southbreak is made possible using funding from Operation Vikings, allowing more police to carry out proactive taskings.
Breanna Chillingworth
Northern Daily Leader Senior Crime and Court Reporter
Northern Daily Leader Senior Crime and Court Reporter
