Huddersfield police are taking notes on burglar's clothes

Feb 8 2010 by Sam Casey, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

A CRACK team of “fashion police” are on patrol in Huddersfield – and criminals are being warned.

Special constables – who carry out part-time duties for West Yorkshire Police – are making notes on how known burglars are dressed as part of a new operation.

They will be knocking on offenders’ doors up to twice a day to keep tabs on them in a series of “disruption visits.”

Information on the clothes they are wearing and what vehicles they are driving will then be fed into the police intelligence network, to provide potential evidence for further investigations.

Insp Dave Stainthorpe said: “The disruption visits are not like raids.

“The special constables will simply knock on the door to see if anyone is in or check with neighbours for any information. “They are really designed to target those who have committed burglary or who are out on licence or on bail subject to a community order.

“They know we are there keeping an eye on their activity and sometimes they don’t like it.

“However, when they answer the door, we often pick up vital intelligence.”

He added: “Burglary is an absolute priority for Kirklees and the rest of the force.