CITY centre car park crooks have been caught red-handed in a police sting.
Officers left phoney satellite navigation systems on show in marked cars, then filmed gangs smashing windows to seize them. Eleven have so far been arrested as part of the crackdown, and some have been jailed.
It has been so successful that car crime fell by 40 per cent in three months.
An astonishing series of pictures, taken from a secret location, show thieves selecting cars and smashing their way in.
Gadgets
Sat nav systems help drivers find the correct route and have become increasingly popular, particularly as Christmas presents.
But police say cars are often targeted by thieves wanting to sell the devices on.
The police operation - jointly run with car park operator NCP - led to the dramatic reduction in attacks on vehicles between September and
November. Officers and the NCP promised the crackdown will continue and warned those thinking of targeting shoppers that they could be caught on camera breaking into "bait cars".
Chief Insp Mark Lee said: "Police in north Manchester are delighted to be working alongside staff from NCP to help make the city's car parks even safer to leave your vehicle."
Thefts
Robert Chenery, from NCP, said: "The growing popularity of sat navs has brought with it an increase in thefts.
"Our data has identified that about 60 per cent of break-ins relate to either a system being left on display or sucker marks on the windscreen.
"NCP takes this issue very seriously and is delighted with the close working relationship we have developed with the police." Other tactics used in the operation include the use of plain-clothed patrols and the fast-tracking of DNA samples and CCTV footage.
As reported in the M.E.N, sat nav devices have been stolen from ambulances and fire engines in Greater Manchester - even though they can only be used on the emergency vehicles.
Showing comments 1 to 24 and replies | View All
PW, Manchester (27/12/2006 at 09:22)
Al Capone, Atherton (27/12/2006 at 09:24)
One nil to the bobbies.
Tubby Scruff, Manchester (27/12/2006 at 09:25)
Andy, Swinton (27/12/2006 at 12:25)
Ace Riley, manchester (27/12/2006 at 13:17)
hdl, bury (27/12/2006 at 13:22)
Laura Norder, Didsbury (27/12/2006 at 13:24)
Dress a few 'grannies' up on pension day and let's have more of the same.
dpm, rochdale (27/12/2006 at 14:14)
Paul Masters, Middleton (27/12/2006 at 14:43)
Ace Riley, manchester (27/12/2006 at 15:58)
redfred, manchester (27/12/2006 at 15:59)
Ann, Oldham (27/12/2006 at 16:40)
Shame that by the time they are taken to court, they will get let off lightly!
'naughty boy, don't do it again'
We need more serious, no nonsense punishments.
Tatto their faces, with what crime they commit, so we can see them coming!
Billy, Runcorn (27/12/2006 at 17:17)
Rob K, Manchester (27/12/2006 at 20:05)
The Thief Taker, Manchester (27/12/2006 at 21:08)
amber, salford (27/12/2006 at 21:51)
Steve, Bolton (28/12/2006 at 00:10)
Peter, Worsley (28/12/2006 at 01:37)
Our marvelous legal system usually compensates criminals for being set up.
What a farce.
ged, salford6 (28/12/2006 at 09:52)
Mike, Bury (28/12/2006 at 10:34)
Hope it happens to you soon and then you can find out how it feels.
Entrapment, how else are we going to catch these scumbags, manchester and areas have enough of their own without others coming in to town and making it worse.
PW, Manchester (28/12/2006 at 11:28)
Ace Riley, manchester (28/12/2006 at 11:34)
PW, Manchester (28/12/2006 at 13:40)
ged, salford6 (28/12/2006 at 18:47)