Suspected farm burglars caught in 12 minutes as part of rural crime crackdown
Date of alert:
Sunday, 5 December 2021
Crime Ref:
Force:
Durham Constabulary
Twelve minutes from report to arrest.
Two men have been charged with a number of offences following their arrest during a crackdown on rural crime this week.
Officer received a report of two suspects fleeing the scene of a burglary at a farm in the Witton Gilbert area at 08.46 on Tuesday morning (November 23).
One of the men was reported to have threatened their victim with a screwdriver before making off across farmland.
By 08.58, just 12 minutes later, two suspects had been detained.
By 08.58, just 12 minutes later, two suspects had been detained.
A man in his 40s from Beamish and a man in his 30s from Gateshead were both arrested and each charged with two counts of burglary and two counts of theft from a motor vehicle.
They were remanded into custody to appear at Durham Crown Court on December 23.
Inspector Dave Clarke, of Durham City Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “Our officers’ response to this report was quick, efficient, and has ultimately resulted in a number of charges being brought against the offenders.
“It is a clear demonstration that we take rural crime very seriously and will take firm action against those who commit such offences.”
The arrests coincide with Operation Checkpoint, a multi-force operation targeting rural crime which took place on Wednesday night.
Consett Neighbourhood Policing Team stopped one vehicle containing four men as well as dogs, rabbits and lamping equipment after they were tracked by colleagues in Cleveland into our area.
