Prolific burglar behind bars again

Date published: 26 June 2009

A prolific burglar has been jailed for five years for a string of burglaries, including one on a home for elderly and vulnerable people in Bury.

Andrew Hutchinson (born 21/08/1979) of Moss Row, Bury, pleaded guilty to four counts of burglary and was sentenced at Bolton Crown Court today, Friday 26 June 2009.

He also asked the court for ten other similar offences to be taken into consideration.

Hutchison committed all the burglaries in the space of five weeks during February and March 2009.

Officers caught Hutchinson after he committed two burglaries and one attempted burglary in fewer than two hours in the early hours of Wednesday 18 March 2009.

He was spotted by the homeowner of the final house he tried to break into and was identified by his distinctive trainers when police arrested him.

Officers were also able to link Hutchinson to a burglary on Thursday 12 February 2009 after DNA found on gloves dumped with a stolen bag by bins the following day matched his.

Detective Sergeant Graham Barker, of the Volume Crime Unit at Bury Police Station, said: "Hutchinson has long been plaguing the Bury community by breaking into homes and stealing and has already served a number of custodial sentences for these kinds of crimes during the last 15 years.

"His spree brought misery, distress and disruption to the lives of those he targeted and it must be a relief to his victims to see him back behind bars.

"Burglary is a major priority for Greater Manchester Police and Operation Storm is our response to a concerning rise in burglaries across Greater Manchester.

"It reinforces our commitment to find the people responsible for this invasive crime and bring them to justice."

Greater Manchester Police launched Operation Storm, which is aimed at cutting burglaries.

There are a number of simple, but effective, ways to deter burglars from trying to enter your home:
· Keeping windows locked or fit restrictors so they can only be slightly opened
· Keep doors locked even when you are at home
· Have a three point locking mechanism on external doors at the bottom, middle and top of the door
· Use timer switches on lights when you are out to give the impression someone is at home
· Register valuables on www.immobilise.com where you can include details of your prized possessions on a national database that police can access and compare against items that have been found or recovered from suspected criminals.


Breakdown of offences

Thursday 12 February 2009, between 2.30am and 4am, Millett Street, Bury.
Purse, driving licence, two mobile phones, clothes and a bag taken.

Thursday 18 March 2009, 5am, Scholes Street, Bury.
I-pod and wallet stolen.

Thursday 18 March 2009, 6am, sheltered accommodation for elderly and vulnerable people, Tottington Road, Bury.
Handbag, hearing aids and documents stolen.

Thursday 18 March 2009, 6.15am, Rowan Street, Bury.
Offender tries to open door of house, alarm sounds and is chased off by resident.