Detectives working on Operation Castle, the force's response to burglary offences, are today (Monday, 23 April) issuing a round-up of some outstanding recent results and continuing to appeal for information.

Operation Castle is intensifying the force’s focus on burglary in an attempt to reduce the number of offences, raise community confidence, reassure residents, and reduce the number of outstanding named suspects for burglary. It got underway in March and continues on a daily basis. In the last week, we have seen results including:

**CHARGED** Jamie Green from Tuebrook

On Friday, 20 April, a warrant was carried out at an address in Tuebrook by Sefton officers.

26-year-old Jamie Green of no fixed abode was arrested at the address and has been charged with conspiracy to commit burglary offences between 31 March and 14 April in Wirral, St Helens and Crosby. Green was also charged with a robbery which occurred on 13 April in Arkles Road, Anfield in which a bag was stolen, containing cash, cards and documents.

As enquiries continue into the burglary and robbery offences, Green has also been recalled to prison for breach of licence following his release in November 2017 for an offence of possessing an offensive weapon.

Two youths arrested following pursuit across Merseyside

On Wednesday 18 April, we arrested two teenage boys (aged 16 and 17) on suspicion of burglary.

Following a cross-border pursuit involving both Cheshire officers and our own Merseyside Response and West Targeted Team, the pair were detained in North Wales after reportedly driving in excess of 130mph.

Officers recovered a Mercedes CLA at the scene which had been reported stolen the previous day from the Birkenhead area. The teens have been bailed pending further enquiries.

**CHARGED** Stephen Hooton from Tuebrook

On Saturday, 14 April, 26-year-old Stephen Hooton from Tuebrook appeared at South Sefton Magistrates Court charged with car key burglary in Allerton from October 2017, in which two cars were taken, and a further five burglary offences. Hooton was also charged with criminal damage to a custody phone after his arrest.

Hooton has been remanded in custody to appear on 14 May.

**CHARGED** Anthony Ready from Bootle

On Monday, 12 April, jewellery and a laptop were stolen from a house in Southport Road, Bootle.

Enquiries identified a man suspected to be 35-year-old Anthony Ready from Worcester Road, Bootle. A warrant was carried out at his home address on Tuesday 17 April and he was arrested. Suspected jewellery has been recovered for further enquiries.

Ready was charged with burglary dwelling and theft and has now been remanded in custody to appear on trial at Liverpool Crown Court on Wednesday, 16 May.

**CHARGED** Kieran Clossick from St Helens

On Friday, 13 April, officers attended an address in St Helens to locate a wanted man. The address was searched and 24-year-old Kieran Clossick was found and detained.

Clossick was charged in relation to a burglary in Haydock in March in which electrical goods, cash and a cash card were stolen. He will appear on Tuesday, 15 May at Liverpool Crown Court.

Detective Inspector Andy McCourt said: “The work of Merseyside Police to target burglars continues to be a priority for the force and these results show the successes that we are having, and we will continue to act on all information provided by our communities.

“We are putting more patrols out, asking people to report anything suspicious, identifying repeat victims and safeguarding them.

“We are also asking the public to be vigilant as we know the vast majority of burglaries are preventable as they are often opportunistic. Lock your front and back door even when you are in, set your burglar alarm when you go out or go to be and consider getting CCTV. It’s also a good idea to use light timers when you go out at night or away on holiday, keep valuables out of sight, and secure your shed and garage too.

“Look out for your neighbours, especially the elderly and report anything suspicious to us.

“Your home is your castle, hence the name of the operation, and we want the community to feel safe in their own homes.”

Further information on policing in your area can be found at www.merseyside.police.uk/local-policing or on our local policing Twitter and Facebook pages.

Anyone with information on burglary offences is asked to contact @MerPolCC, call 101 or @CrimestoppersUK anonymously on 0800 555 111. #OpCastle #BeatTheBurglar.