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RegisterMay 2011 news roundup in
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Modern technology helps victim
Modern technology helped police reunite a victim with his stolen property.
The quick-thinking victim and investigating officers used state-of-the-art satellite tracking technology to locate a recently stolen gadget and trace it to a house.
It follows a report in March from a man that his bag containing his iPad had been stolen from St Nicholas Cathedral in Newcastle city centre.
After reporting the crime the victim went home where he logged straight on to the Apple website and used built-in GPS tracking systems to locate the stolen item. PCs Paul Garrett and Andy Kay went to the victim's home to speak to him about the crime he'd reported.
While there PC Garrett downloaded the necessary application on to his own mobile phone and, using the victim's password, was able to track the stolen property directly.
This led the two officers to an address in Gateshead, where the stolen property was recovered. A 59-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of theft.
He appeared at Newcastle Magistrates' Court and pleaded guilty to theft by finding.
The victim was quickly aware that he was able to use this technology to locate his belongings. An officer downloaded the application to his own mobile and used the victim's password to track his i-Pad directly.
Police hope this will send out the warning to others that they will use every tool at their disposal to trace criminals and get them before the courts.
For those people who don't have such phones police encourage them to ensure they register with the national property register, Immobilise, which means if your phone or other property is stolen and later recovered, it's returned to the rightful owner.
People should also note down their IMEI number - International Mobile Equipment Identity - which can be used to stop the phone from being used and renders it useless to thieves.
The IMEI number can be retrieved by pressing *#06# or from your service provider.
Operation tackles sheep rustlers
Police have been taking action to deter sheep thieves in rural Northumberland.
Officers are carrying out Operation Herd in response to thefts of sheep and livestock in West Tynedale.
Research has shown West Tynedale accounts for 60% of the reported thefts of sheep in the county in the last three years.
The value of sheep stolen has increased from £9,000 in 2008, to almost £39,000 in 2010.
Operation Herd involves officers working with animal health inspectors and Northumberland County Council officers carrying out high profile visits, patrols and checks.
Officers are checking all vehicles and trailers transporting livestock on the roads to ensure everything is legal and above board.
Although police don't see high numbers of thefts of animals and livestock in Northumberland they are well aware just how much of an impact these crimes have on the victims and the rural communities in general.
Thefts of animals are difficult crimes to solve - there's often very little intelligence as to who the criminals are or where the stolen animals may have been taken and sometimes the time frames that the thefts could have taken place during can be up to months at a time.
Drugs farm found in Newcastle
Police have dismantled a 345-plant cannabis farm in Newcastle worth around £175,000.
Officers on patrol noticed a building at Wellfield Road in Grainger Park had suffered fire damage and was insecure.
During examination of the building an extensive cannabis farm consisting of around 345 plants as well as sophisticated heating and lighting equipment was found in three bedrooms and in the attic. There were also around 335 cannabis seedlings in the property.
Enquiries into the farm and those responsible for it are still ongoing.
Officers have welcomed the seizures which means a large amount of drugs will no longer reach the streets of Newcastle.
