A burglar's list of potential targets has been released by police.
The thief's handwritten to-do list detailing addresses to plunder was found by officers after being dropped in the street. They have now released it in a bid to help people protect their homes.
It includes reminders where car keys have been left on show, pedal cycles in easy reach, and cash on view. The note, headed Lined Up Grafts, was found by police in a road in Oldham.
Tools to be used, including a hammers, screwdrivers, a torch, and a coat hanger are included.
A man has since been sentenced to two years for admitting carrying out some of the break-ins planned on the list in the Oldham and north Manchester areas. The list was found in October.
- One house in the area is recorded as: "Jaguar, and others, keys in eyesight and window open'
- Another as: "Saab – keys behind door – new estate – hammer"
- In Moston he noted: "Loads of notes on fireplace – Golf, gaf just off......Road".
- In the same area he noted: "Mazda 6 – pop window – claw hammer – key maybe behind door."
Now the list is being used to warn families to guard against thieves out for easy pickings in the run-up to Christmas.
There's so many easy-pickings, says reformed burglar
Pc Andy Pickering of Greater Manchester Police said: "Thieves steal all year round but get particularly busy during the Christmas and New Year period when homes and cars are filled with presents making the items too good to resist for any would-be thief.
"This to-do list gives an insight on how thieves identify their targets and should serve as a reminder to householders on how to protect themselves from falling victim to crime.
"While most thieves are opportunistic, there are some who are more organised and will systematically search out the weaknesses in your neighbourhood for the easiest homes, cars, pedal bikes or other valuables on your property to target and steal."
Reformed criminal Jason Fleming, 32, once regarded as among the most prolific burglars in Greater Manchester, said: "I never used lists. It's most probably come from someone who wanted some stuff and wrote it down, just to help to remember people's homes.
"They have obviously been clocking stuff through windows like the car keys are here near the window or there's money left on the side. Someone has obviously been walking around casing the joint."
Pc Pickering added: "Being a victim of theft is hard at any time of the year but is particularly so during this special period in the calendar. You can help yourself by putting into action your own ‘to-do’ list to stop thieves going to work in your community."
Advice is available at www.gmp.police.uk/to-do. As part of GMP's fight against theft in the run-up to Christmas and New Year, they will be providing advice through Twitter on #to-do. It shows what residents should have on their own to-do lists to keep thieves at bay.
Suspicious activity can be reported by calling 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Whatever you need this Christmas, go to www.LocalMole.co.uk - the fast, accurate local business directory.
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Always leave my bike in front garden in NH, I just got it in. Haaa
come to my house and will have there list and tools stuck where the sun dont shine!
This is an amazing list, and whether or not it's real, it's a clear reminder to keep your valuables safe.
Years of police advice regarding keeping keys & valuables safe and out of sight haven't worked, hopefully this will. Whilst decent people are going about their lives, scumbags like this are prowling around.
if the guy can do some good and save someone being burgled through his advice then good on him,, its got to be really hard to come out in public and admit what you've done and also give advice on a walk about , but the guy does have a major point ,, there is too many property's that offer easy pickings for the low life people who don't care on what hurt they are bringing to peoples lives
Now, common sense tells you not to leave things on show in Great Britain as chances are they will be robbed. That is the country we live in.
I fill up with fuel and there are stickers on the pumps saying 'Leave it on show and it WILL be stolen'. How did we get to this stage?
The blame is put on the victim for 'leaving things on show' rather than the no good thief.
In Dubai the Police there have a campaign 'phone up as soon as you see a crime'. They are having a go at people as even a few seconds might be vital so that they can get there quickly and apprehend the criminal.
Here we now accept if you have a nice car on the drive it is a target for theives, leave a window open and you are literally inviting in burgalrs.
Get the thieves out of society. If they don't want to take part in society and abide with the law then should be put in prison for a minumu ten year stretch.
you can almost guarentee they've got previous. surely finger printing the list and running a search of the database will give them who wrote it and.... intent to steal? is that a crime?
Good organisational skills. Someone should give this person a job.
Fail to prepare = prepare to fail.
Being sensible is good but never just accept this is the way things are in the World.
The scum are ever with us and are a growing army. They pervade every community in the land. You are never very far away from them. Even if you live in a "nice" are,the scum can come and live beside you thanks to the buy to let landlords. They breed with impunity for the state will house,clothe and feed their bastards.
The Police are fighting a loosing battle. Even when they nick someone,the scum have state funded lawyers and barristers rushing to fest off the carcass of the honest working man. Scum can afford lawyers and barristers.
Lastly,they have nothing to loose. If they are fined,they cannot pay,if the are imprisoned,it is simply a more comfortable extension of their home life.
I think it has come time to select the best bits of Sharia law and implement them. I would have no issues with them being flogged in Albert square in public ...and for the worst,to be put to death.
'LINED UP GRAFTS'
Hmm, a bit fishy this one. Seems like a clever way for GMP to spread awareness, but I'm not convinced it's genuine. 'Found by officers' - Ha! How often do you see them on the beat round Oldham? Hardly ever!
very business like..lol
I will pass comment when the paperback is released
This really is amazing, stunning even.
Someone from Oldham is still capable of reading and writing. Oh my.
David Attenborough should do a documentary on this rare specimen!
Shrewd indeed!