The project is the brain-child of DCI Peter Rigby, Crime Manager for the Congleton and Vale Royal Division.

"Many recent reports have indicated that burglary is rife in the division, and so this initiative has been set up to tackle it," said DCI Rigby.

"There's a team of four officers at both the Northwich and Congleton headquarters, whose brief is to provide a full investigation into burglaries in the division."

The teams' agenda is wide-ranging, and will include closer collaboration with other divisions and bordering police forces, such as Staffordshire.

"The liaison with the other forces will be an important part of the team's work," said DCI Rigby.

"They will also target individual criminals, and focus particularly on housebreaking and shed burglaries, which are unfortunately rife."

DCI Rigby says the team will take some time to get off the ground.

"The burglary figures will not drop immediately," he added.

"This programme is aimed at long-term results, which you will be able to see later as the teams develop."

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