Teenager snared in high-tech burglary sting

Dec 27 2008 by Neil Atkinson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

A TEENAGER is to face court after a “capture house” operation in Huddersfield.

Now the 17-year-old has been ordered to appear before Huddersfield Magistrates in the new year charged with burglary.

It is the latest apparent success for police using the “thief tempting” scheme.

The capture house is a specially-adapted one, fitted with sophisticated surveillance equipment but also stocked with goodies to tempt in thieves.

Police have used them in other parts of West Yorkshire and caught the youth in a Huddersfield house this month.

Det Chief Insp Dave Knopwood, of Kirklees CID, said: “This is another method of identifying burglaries which we will continue to use throughout Kirklees.

“Capture houses can be deployed anywhere, particularly in places which are known burglary hotspots, such as student flats and areas of multiple occupancy housing.