Officers are appealing for information and encouraging residents to be alert, to report concerns to us and to take steps to help reduce the risk of becoming a victim.

This week has also seen the start of Operation Relentless, a year long initiative that will involve officers and staff from across the force, working in conjunction with partner agencies to target acquisitive crime.

Public consultation has shown that the communities of Derbyshire are concerned about having their house or car broken into. In an effort to tackle this type of crime, as well as robberies, the operation has started with two weeks’ worth of targeted activity.

Homes broken in to

On Saturday 28 February a man returned to his home on High Road, South Wingfield, at around 11pm to find his home had been broken into, and a property on Cross Lane at Codnor was broken into sometime overnight between Monday 24 February and Tuesday 25 February.

Items including valuable electricals (laptops, tablets, TVs and games consoles), jewellery, handbags and tobacco have also been taken from other homes in Codnor, Heanor, Horsley Woodhouse, Riddings, Somercotes, South Wingfield and Swanwick.

Cars and motorbikes stolen

The most recent incidents have included a Vauxhall Corsa which was stolen from Nottingham Road in Ripley between 10.30am and 11.30am on Monday 2 March, and a Yamaha motorbike stolen from George Street, Riddings, between 8pm and 8.30pm on Sunday 1 March.

Since Monday 17 March a total of four cars and three motorbikes have been reported stolen from locations in Alfreton, Codnor, Pye Bridge, Riddings, Ripley and Shipley.

Number plates, tools and valuables targeted

At around 1.20am on Saturday 29 February two tablets were taken from a car which was broken into while it was parked on Nottingham Road, Ripley, and later the same day, between 2pm and 3pm, the number plates were stolen from a Toyota Aygo parked at the East Midlands Designer Outlet in Pinxton.

Other incidents have been reported in Alfreton, Belper, Heanor, Leabrooks and Swanwick. Three have involved number plates being taken, tools have been stolen on two occasions and a wallet and airpod ear phones stolen in one incident.

Inspector Paul Stevenson, of the Amber Valley Local Policing Unit, said: “Enquiries are currently ongoing into these incidents and patrols ongoing to help us prevent and deter crimes and also try and catch those responsible.

“There are some things people can do to help reduce the risk of becoming a victim, and we would advise people to take steps to make sure homes and vehicles are secure, that valuables are not left on show and to get in touch if you notice any suspicious activity in your area.”

Here are some top tips which can help you reduce the risk of suffering a crime:

• Always make sure your home and car are secure before you leave them- this includes all doors and windows.
• Remove valuable items and tools from vehicles overnight, and if possible make sure items cannot be seen by people passing by your home.
• If you have a garage, park your vehicle in it and make sure any doors or windows are secure.
• If you have a burglar alarm or CCTV system, make sure they are working and activated when you leave your property.
• If you are out of your home during the evening, when it is likely to be dark, make use of timer switches for lights to make it look like someone is home.
• Security mark your valuable property, and list them with immobilise.com, the UK national property register.
• To help prevent motorbikes from being stolen, always remove the keys and think lock, chain, cover. Invest in a good quality steering lock and bike chain and make sure you use them.
   

If you have any information about these incidents, or to report suspicious activity, please get in touch using one of the following non-emergency contact methods.

• Facebook – send us a private message to /DerbyshireConstabulary
• Twitter – direct message our contact centre on @DerPolContact
• Website – complete the online contact form www.derbyshire.police.uk/Contact-Us.
• Phone – call us on 101.
   

You can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Please note in the event of an emergency, or where a crime is in progress, you should always call 999.

For further information on what is happening during Operation Relentless please visit our website www.derbyshire.police.uk or follow us on Facebook @DerbyshireConstabulary or on Twitter @Derbyspolice using the hashtag #OpRelentless.