Tower Hamlets police sting burglars with Operation Bumblebee

04 November 2009

COPS are cracking down on burglars with ten extra officers taking to the streets of the East End.

As part of Operation Bumblebee, a team of ten constables from Tower Hamlets police will be patrolling the areas identified as burglary hot-spots.

According to police, burglaries in Tower Hamlets homes dropped by 31 per cent last year which marked the highest fall in London.

And despite a 10 per cent rise in thefts in the capital so far this year, Tower Hamlets has seen a nine per cent drop.

But the new team will be focusing on tackling `artifice' burglaries, where criminals impersonate electricians or plumbers so residents allow them into their homes.

The thieves are then escaping with thousands of pounds of pensioners' savings.

Police are urging residents who may be in doubt to call 999 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 before they allow anyone into their home.