POLICE in Wrexham have launched a special initiative to crack down on opportunistic crime as the nights draw in.

Following the success of Operation Blue Instinct last year, police have brought the initiative back on a larger scale, ready to help protect residents across Wrexham town as autumn sets in and it gets dark earlier.

The operation was first launched in Offa and Esclusham last year, when it proved to be a success, leading to a significant reduction in the number of burglaries.

Operation Blue Instinct will include foot patrols, delivery of leaflets with support from community councillors and a partnership with organisations like Arriva Buses and Boots at Plas Coch Retail Park to put posters and crime prevention leaflets out to raise awareness of what can be done to safeguard against opportunistic crime. North Wales Police's Chief Constable Carl Foulkes and the North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin will also be coming to Wrexham as part of the operation.

Sgt David Smith from Wrexham town police said that the nights drawing in meant that people wouldn't necessarily be getting back from work until it was dark, and unlit houses could attract criminals looking for places to burgle.

He also talked about the dangers of scams and how the police wanted to make people aware of measures that could be taken to safeguard themselves. He added that police would like to see more communities coming together to form Neighbourhood Watch groups, to help them to look out for each other. He also encouraged people to sign up to North Wales Police's Community Alerts scheme, which sends out a range of advice and warnings from police.

Sgt Smith said that police were also looking at online and social media activities to run alongside the likes of the posters and leaflets, to ensure that those who don't have online access get this important advice too.

Vulnerable people

He said: “The aim of Operation Blue Instinct is to prevent burglary related offences and protect vulnerable residents of Wrexham town by reducing victims and targeting those that cause our community most harm. The nights are drawing in and historically we do see an increase in burglaries or distraction burglaries and rogue traders and bogus callers at this time of year.

"Some people are quite vulnerable and these people could take advantage of them. When it's dark and you walk down a street it is quite evident who's in and who isn't. We want to raise awareness. We'll be doing things like patrols and putting leaflets through doors. There'll be a massive push on social media looking at crime prevention tips.

"We'll also be dropping leaflets in places like GP surgeries and with meals on wheels services. We are trying to reach everyone. We ask residents to take simple, but effective steps to protect their property."

Advice given out by Wrexham town police includes:

• Use a light timer, or leave a light on if you’re going out to give the impression that someone is home.

• Keep curtains and blinds closed at night

• Lock your doors even when home and keep keys in a safe place

• Make any outdoor storage spaces such as garages and sheds secure.

• Visit https://www.northwales.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/ for more information

• Also join North Wales Police's new community alerts messaging service, which is free. It provides up to date information about crime, engagement events, appeals, prevention advice and general policing activity in your local area. This is available via https://www.northwalescommunityalert.co.uk/

• Look out for your neighbours and help make your street a safer place to live by joining a neighbourhood watch scheme https://www.ourwatch.org.uk/

The Operation is supported by Wrexham Council Trading Standards, Arriva Buses, Friends Against Scams, Neighbourhood Watch, Think Jessica, Crime Stoppers, North Wales Community Alerts, Dragon Dinners, Boots Plas Coch and Wrexham community councils.