Episode 10 Crimewatch Roadshow

unusual and frightening attack by a young mother in Manchester. -- on a

are live and on air every week day morning tackling everyday crimes. We

need your help to track down the criminals whose actions affect us

all. On the programme today. A terrifying ordeal for a young

mother, dragged into a car and assaulted.

A night out in the city, how Manchester police keep the streets

safe on a Saturday night. And the big-time metal thieves

targeted in a massive police operation.

The roadshow team is travelling the country and today is our last day

with Greater Manchester police. Xiang, good morning, where are you?

I am in St Ann's Square in the heart of Manchester City centre, and today

we are going to be finding out how this city is policed by day and by

night. And how the officers here tackle shoplifting and bike crime.

That sounds good. We are looking for the men who assaulted a young

mother. Lisa from East Manchester was left so traumatised by what

happened that we have changed her real name to protect her identity.

It was pure fright. It was nothing I had never experienced before. It was

really terrifying. She had been targeted by the individuals in this

vehicle. There would appear to be a sexual motive behind it. I started

to cry a lot and I tried to scream a lot more, I thought this was my last

chance to get away. Saturday the 9th of March, Lisa and her partner had

been enjoying a quiet night out in Manchester. We went to meet a few

friends, we had a baby-sitter, we went out and had a couple of drinks.

Lisa did not feel 100% soap around ten o'clock, the couple headed home

via the local takeaway. -- so around ten o'clock. We went inside the

takeaway and ordered some food. It said it would take about ten minutes

because they didn't have what we ordered ready. My partner said he

needed the toilet. As they live just around the corner, he popped home

and said he would return before the food was ready. A couple of minutes

after my partner left, the food was ready. So I just decided to come out

of the takeaway and, home. It has always been fine, it is a really

nice area, never any trouble, you never hear of anything. Lisa began

walking home alone. I began to walk down towards my house. I noticed a

black VW Golf pull up. I didn't think anything of it at the time. I

only noticed it when it started to reverse the way I was walking.

now, Lisa was starting to feel a little uneasy. She did not know the

car or the people in it. I walked maybe ten or 15 steps and it

followed me really slowly all the way back. Where are you headed, do

you want a lift? No thank you. I picked up my pace and that is when I

heard the car door and footsteps behind me. What happened next turned

Lisa's life completely upside down. One of the men tried to grab her.

The next thing I remember, his arm coming around my shoulder. I just

froze. And then he tried to put his hand down my top. Which he did. I

had a lot of cuts and bruises. bravely fought back but men were not

giving up easily. The first man proceeded to drag me into the car.

With the second man trying to pull me inside it. I started shouting for

my partner, anybody, dad, allsorts. Shut up! That is when the second man

let go of my arms and said, leave it, it is not worth it. I was still

screaming. I was screaming and crying. I rang my partner

straightaway. He couldn't understand a word I was saying. It was awful. I

couldn't register. My partner said straightaway, ring the police. I was

just sat down against a wall on the pavement, I couldn't stop shaking. I

felt dirty. It really did make me feel awful, unclean. But her bravery

has been praised by police. This was a very serious incident which could

have resulted in farm or serious consequences. It was only due to the

courage of the victim -- far more serious consequences. And the fact

that she fought away, she got -- fought back, she got away. The

vehicle was a black Volkswagen golf but it was a matte black colour

rather than shiny. It had alloy wheels and the side windows were

tinted. It had a luminous green Volkswagen badge on the bonnet and

unusually, it had luminous green windscreen wiper trims. People like

that obviously don't have any remorse or anything along those

lines. I really would class myself as lucky. What happens to me was

horrendous. Apart from a few scrapes and bruises and memories, I actually

got away. That relief at escaping the men was short lived. I was about

seven weeks pregnant at the time, six or seven weeks pregnant at the

time. The hospital did not say how, but I would say the strength of the

attack, the way they grabbed me and things like that, I ended up having

a miscarriage. Lisa and her partner are now trying to deal with the loss

of their baby, while the police are trying to find those responsible.

Immolation to offences of this type, they are thankfully very rare. -- in

relation to offences. But this is a very serious offence and we need to

catch the offenders. Why do it to innocent people and then go on to

ruin their lives? It affects every single thing you do. I would not go

to the shop by myself, even in the daylight. My doors are always

locked. I still haven't been on a night out by myself. I am always out

with my partner. This really was a terrifying ordeal and I am joined by

DCI Andy Peach who is investigating this case. Truly horrendous for that

victim to go through something like this. She has been able to provide

you with an awful lot of useful information, particularly about the

offenders. . She has. She has described her first attack as being

a male of Asian appearance, between 24 and 25, about 5'4" tall and of

slim build, although she says he had muscular arms and chest. He had a

full face beard about two or three centimetres in length. His hair was

dark and short, almost shaven. He had a red regatta waterproof jacket

and a pair of maroon trousers. The second individual was also a male of

Asian appearance, about 25, considerably taller. He was of

medium build and he had short gelled spiky hair. In relation to facial

hair, he had a small line from the bottom of his mouth to his chin. He

was wearing light-coloured chino trousers. He had a purple hooded top

with a white zip and white drawstrings. The driver was a white

male. He had a distinctive big wrist watch. The car was pointed out, a

black goal. It looked different to this one. We think it looked

different. It was matte black, black alloy wheels. The side windows were

tinted. It had a one foot dent on the bonnet. The VW badge on the

bonnet was in luminous neon green. The windscreen wipers were also

luminous green. Show us what was hanging in the rear window. This

jellybean air freshener in the rear window. If anybody recognises,

please get in touch. It is time to look at today's first

set of criminals caught on camera. Early morning on the 20th of

November and a dark ray Audi is lurking in the area. -- dark grey.

The police believe the occupants are casing the joint. After a while,

these early birds are ready for a spot of work. They smashed their way

into a house in chase down, Staffordshire, while the owner is

still in bed. Within just three minutes, they are out. These

shameless thieves make off with their rifles and ten grands worth of

jewellery. If you have any information about these chancers or

their car, pick up that phone. An office block in Holborn, but this

life the -- this slide thief is not here to work. He spots a couple of

laptops in the reception area and gets a closer look. He is about to

make his move but he is disturbed by a man leaving the building. Our

quickwitted thief pretends to be on the phone until the coast is clear.

Then he goes actively laptops and takes his chance. Picking them up

and making a sharp exit. Do you the bus to tooting. This man is

standing next to a pram. Watch as he leans in and has a good rummage

around. It is child's play. He finds a purse and puts it in his back

pocket. He gets away with the purse containing cash, a driving licence

and other documents. Easy as stealing candy from a baby. Do you

know this dummy? Charming fellow! If you recognise

him or any of the others, get is pretty common to hear about bikes

being stolen. Earlier, just down the road from here, there were two

unbelievable thefts that took place at the train station. It is January

this year at Manchester Piccadilly station. This man is dropping a

friend off. But he leaves his engine running as he says good eye. He

gives his mate a helping hand with his bags and he shut the boot. The

calculating thief seizes his opportunity. He jumps in the car and

drives off with the victim still hanging on. Even the barrier doesn't

stop him. Three months later, a similar crime at the same train

station. Again, someone is dropping off a friend and they leave the keys

in the ignition. Watch the top right-hand corner now, as a thief

runs towards the car and jumps in. Driving off in the stolen vehicle. I

am joined by DS Steve May from British transport police. These were

audacious, barefaced crimes. Absolutely astonishing. Yes, very

cheeky crimes. But had potentially quite dire consequences. On both

occasions, the owners of the vehicle tried to intervene. In the first

one, the owner tried to grab hold of the car door and it was given off,

injuring his hand. In the second one, the owner tried to get to the

front of the car but was threatened by the suspect that he could be

driven over if he did not get out of the way. Both vehicles were

subsequently seen driving around and recovered in the Salford area of

Manchester. In the Salford occasion it was about nine days later.

leads do you have? The description of the offender is similar, a white

man, probably late 20s or early 30s. His height is difficult to estimate

but he is supposed to have sharp features, bald with a shaven head.

What would your advice be to anyone who was dropping off in a busy place

like a train station or airport? And take the keys out and hopefully we

will prevent more of this happening. Good advice.

Now let's have a look at a few of the Wanted Faces we have featured

this week. We have had some great calls, but still need your help to

find these men. 29-year-old Alexander James Edward Dooley is up

first. He was due to stand trial at the Old Bailey in April this year,

but failed to turn up. He was accused of setting up a website

advertising bogus car insurance, which conned 70 young drivers into

paying almost �50,000 for worthless policies. Dooley has connections to

Manchester and Birmingham. Next is this man, Flogert Farruku.

Police want to question him in connection with a cannabis factory

in Cardiff, where almost �200,000-worth of plants were

discovered. Farruku is originally from Albania and speaks very little

English. He has links to the Cardiff and Newport areas of South Wales,

but police believe he could be anywhere in the UK.

This man, Andrew Stanley Walker, has been wanted by police in North

Yorkshire since 2005. They want to question him in connection with

allegations of Fraud, carried out using his dead mother's identity. He

is described as being six foot tall and of a generally scruffy

appearance. He has connections to the Harrogate area, but where is he

now? And finally, this is Teddy Simpson.

He is wanted for questioning by detectives in London, in connection

with an attack on two police officers. His hair is now greyer

than in this image, which was taken in 2004. He has a distinctive scar

on his left cheek and is described as dangerous. So if you do see him

or know where he is, do not approach, just ring the police

straightaway. Can you help us catch any of those

men? If so, pick up the phone or send us a e-mail. The details are on

your screen. Sian. Now, metal theft continues to be a

huge problem right across the country. In Manchester, Operation

Alloy was set up to tackle it, and we joined the team recently on their

Today's operation has been in the planning for a year. Its target is

the people behind the big business that is metal theft.

It is 7:30 a.m. And we are about to accompany Greater Manchester Police

on an early morning raid. Illegal metal theft dealers are about to get

a rude awakening! Today, nearly 500 officers, using

over 140 vehicles, are being deployed.

We are on our way to a scrapyard identified as part of this massive

police operation. At the same time, hundreds of officers are on their

way to other locations across the Greater Manchester area.

Not far from the target, the team is brought to a halt. All units

throughout the operation coordinated to swoop at the same time.

Finally, everything is in position, and the green light is given. Some

teams raid private homes and offices. Tracking the money behind

the crime. This team's target is a big scrapyard business and the

people running it. The element of surprise works to the advantage of

the police, and three people are taken into custody.

All three persons have been arrested on suspicion of handling stolen

goods and offences under the scrap metal act.

They have been taken into custody and for questioning, what happens

now? On the ground, we conduct a thorough

and systematic search of the premises, looking for the stolen

goods that may be of interest. While part of this -- while part of

the team get stuck into the paperwork, other officers

investigate the scrap metal. Looking for any markings which might

identify where it has come from. They all have serial numbers, so we

get the experts in to look at that to see if that has come from

somewhere it should not have done. They have used a machine to cut it

and they remove the proper -- the property from inside.

A sophisticated operation, more than people would realise.

When it is stripped in this state, it is difficult to prove where it

has come from. With one cable looking much like

another, police have listed the help of the companies whose cables are

often stolen, to help them identify the goods.

Even though you may not see a label, we are the only cable company in the

north-west using this type of equipment. The cable was pretty much

worthless. Cables are marked in various ways

and Linda, from BT, can spot hers by the paper tax.

You can clearly see that those are the same as those papers.

Unmistakable because no other company would have done it. Prior to

the 1960s, BT only had these. What is your reaction to finding it

here today? Finding stuff! This belongs to

Alex's team? How do you know that? You cannot buy

this cable out on the Open market. The copper in cabling is worth a lot

of money, around �5,000 per tonne, and these do not care where they get

it. There have been instances of hospital operations cancelled

because of copper cabling stolen. Metal taken from the rail network

stops trains from running and communities can lose Internet

connections when telecommunications wiring is ripped out.

We have done a sweep through the site and we have identified stolen

cable which we are now working on the slow process of exhibiting that

so it can be used in evidence. In total, around �14,000 in cash was

seized in 2,500 tonnes of stolen cable was recovered from 28

premises. 20 arrests were made, another small step forward in the

never ending fight against metal theft.

A great result there. Still to come on today's programme.

Late-night policing, when the booze kicks in, the trouble kicks off.

And the callous thieves who stole a pensioner's pride and joy, his

But first, let's take a look at some sneaky thieves caught on CCTV.

Basildon, March 2011, this woman is doing the weekly shopping, but

little does she know somebody else is shopping for her belongings. The

woman's bag is handing on a hawk on the back of her trolley. Watch this

man as he reaches over and grabbed her handbag. Let's have a look. You

can see it behind his shopping bags. Do you know this man?

March this year, and this couple's out and about browsing in a

jewellers in Garstang. Something has caught this man's I am he means

over-the-counter and graphs to rings, while his accomplice looks

on. -- and graphs. He knows what he wants. Those rings worth �3000.

Now it is time for a swift exit, and when they are out on the street, we

get a better look at faces. Thanks! If you know this barefaced couple,

give us a ring and help us catch these crooks.

Alan, south London, and the laptops in the Cabinet have caught the

attention of these men. -- Balham. After half an hour of loitering,

they grab these laptops and make their way down the street. Maybe you

recognise these man from these images, pick-up phone.

-- the phone. Well, did you spot any familiar

faces? Give us a call, if you did. We are on 08000 468999. Or you can

text us on 63399. Or e-mail at the usual address, [email protected]. And if

you don't want to give your name or number, you can call Crimestoppers.

They are on 0800 555111. Bikes left in public places like

this are an easy target for thieves. But now expensive bikes kept under

lock and key are also becoming a target.

Cycling's popularity has soared in recent years. But for Harry, from

Hazel Grove near Stockport, it has been a lifelong obsession.

I have been cycling since I was 12, over 40 years.

Cycling is my life. His hobby has taken him thousands of miles. This

was a trip to Scotland. And when he retired from work, how we really

began to enjoy his hobby. I used to work in a biscuit factory

as a manager. I took early retirement when I was 55 and the

lump sum that I got from my pension, I used that money to indulge my

passion of cycling. Knowing how desirable his top of the

range bikes were, he made sure they were kept secure and that securely

locked up. But in March this year, that security was put to the test.

I had bought an outbuilding to store them in, I tried to make that a

secure as possible. I secured the doors with clasps that people could

not cut through with hacksaws. The thieves could not wake him

through the reinforced walls or the securely locked door. But that was

not going to stop them. They found a weakness and they smashed through

the roof, former pro-bikes were stolen.

When I got out of bed that morning, I came downstairs and I looked into

the garden and I saw the debris from the break-in, and I went cold.

I was just devastated. Around �18,000 worth of top-quality and

much loved cycles had been taken, including this red frame.

My wife bought it for me for my 60th birthday, it was handmade. It was

probably the only one in the country, if not the world, because

it was designed to the way I had asked it to be done. I was very

upset. Very angry with them. I just thought it was wrong that these

people could come and take what I had worked hard for all my life.

We are going to get some tips on bike Security in a minute. First of

all, Harry's case, was he specifically targeted.

It would appear that he was. They targeted his bikes, which were

high-end and very expensive, about �20,000 worth of cycles.

Particularly the pedal cycle, it was individually built for Harry.

A lot of people here, you may have a bike here and want to know what to

do. Talk about marking up the bike first.

With most bikes, it you will find that they have a serial reference

number and you have only got to turn the bike upside down to find that.

Take details of that number. If your bike is stolen and we can

cross-reference that. We also have a postcode on the base. That is marked

on and will be removed -- cannot be removed, and we can recover it with

that. We also have stickers that have your

house address and postcode which we can place anywhere on your right. We

recommend you put your postcode on the bike.

In at least two places. Let's take a look at a bike theft that took place

here recently. This guy appears particularly

interested in a bike. The problem is, it is not his bike. But with the

help of old cutters, he has decided to take it anyway. He does not know

he has been spotted by police and they are giving chase. Jason was

caught red-handed and he was sentenced to 18 weeks in prison.

And that was unbelievably quick. We spoke about marking up the bikes,

what about locks? Most of us have them, but have we got the right

ones? There are varying degrees of locks.

The cable locks or not the most secure, we would certainly advocate

removing the front wheel, because sometimes the wheel can be removed,

and clamping the Amur onto the wheel. You would need an angle

grinder to remove that. -- the D-lock. If somebody had

this, how safe is this? Not very safe, a thief with bolt

cutters can come along and, as you can see. Straight through, not great

to see. I hope you are picking up tips for

know you like a barbecue and many of us like to enjoy our gardens during

the more warmer months. Many of us can forget to secure windows and

doors. Once thief we caught last year took full advantage. This CCTV

shows the thief walking up the driveway of a family home in

Nottinghamshire. He doesn't go straight into the house. He checks

the coast is clear. Then, as the front door is not locked, he just

lets himself in. After a few minutes inside the house, he comes out

having stolen a watch and some jewellery. He had almost made his

mistake when he was spotted by a decorator who was working in the

house. But when questioned, the burglar brazenly walked off. He

might have thought he had got away with it, until we ran the CCTV on

Crimewatch Roadshow. It was just so cheeky. What happened after the

show? We received ten calls all suggesting names. Simon Carter

eliminated all but nine of them. The final lead to a man called Darren

Coomber, who fitted the description perfectly and was a prolific

criminal. He actually had a distinctive six inch scar across his

face. They identified their suspect, what happened then? As luck

would have it, he was already in prison for a similar offence. As

Simon turned up to interview him, he said, I knew you were coming. He had

actually been watching Crimewatch Roadshow himself and seen the CCTV.

Presumably he admitted the offence? Yes, plus another burglary, which

was discovered after he discarded a handbag. This guy is all over the

place. He pleaded guilty to that and was given another four and a half

years on top of his current sentence. A really strong result.

The victim of that crime was very happy as well. A very distinctive

character. It was within a matter of weeks that we had an identification.

And got to court. There was some satisfaction, not complete closure

because you can't replace the items, they were extremely sentimental and

nobody can replace that. However, putting that person behind bars for

taking two items of jewellery, it is a decent sentence. I think without

the programme and getting it shown on Crimewatch Roadshow, I don't

include would have got a result. Some degree of closure there. You

have got another one? We always get good success with our faces and one

in particular, Darren Cowland, also known as Darren Tear. He realised

the game was up because he gave himself into a police patrol car.

Which is brilliant. He pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm with

intent and a sexual assault and was actually given 14 years in prison.

really good result there for someone who clearly needs to be off the

streets. You are back next week with more, look forward to that. What is

shone up to in Manchester? -- Sian. Manchester is a mecca for shoppers

but unfortunately, along with the profits, there is crime. Shoplifting

is a big problem. Across the force area, about 1000 cases of

shoplifting are reported every month. Police are cracking down on

it with the retailers and PC Jo Shaw is with me. What is happening in

this shop on our right? We have just had information of a suspicious

mail, he is white, wearing a stripey jumper, he has just entered the shoe

shop as we speak. He is browsing. People are going to be on alert

because of this message. I am just going to see if we have a patrol

that can come down. Is there a patrol near St Ann's Square that can

come down for a suspicious mail? Is there a patrol, please? You are

calling out, and you would be getting messages through if there

was an officer in this area who would be coming down to patrol and

have a look on to see what is happening? This person is coming out

of the shop and he is followed by the security guard. There is an

officer coming up and we can see the action unfold in front of our eyes.

Is this what could happen? This happens quite frequently, security

guards monitor and observe and use a radio so we get quite a lot of

people detained. This was not a real case, it is a member of our team

that is helping out so that we can show however body is connected up in

the city centre. You are all trying to tackle the problem together and

there are some exclusions that the police are not exactly themselves

excluding people, but that is happening. It usually happens when

somebody has shoplifted on three occasions in the city centre. If

they display any violence or threats on the first time, they would get

excluded. But not by this police, a separate company. Thank you, people

like to come here to do their shopping, I certainly do. We have

seen Manchester by day, let's check it out why night. It is early

evening in Manchester. Finally, the shoppers are heading home and the

city begins to prepare for a different crowd. But as the

revellers get ready for a night on the tiles, the police are already on

the streets. Sergeants are patrolling the busy Piccadilly

Gardens area on the part of two miles that make up the busy city

centre. People are coming home from work, popping into the city, one or

two people might be eating and then getting ready for a night out.

are not expecting trouble yet but a few minutes later they are called to

a building site. A man has been spotted 30 feet up scaffolding, it

is thought he has been drinking. What are you doing? You have been

drinking? A much have you had? man is lucky not to have fallen to

his death. How far did you go? got halfway. Was it enough to kill

yourself if you felt? The men decide to send him home. Unfortunately

people get drunk, a bit of bravado and then they go beyond their means.

Making sure all goes smoothly in the biggest city in the north-west on a

Saturday night is a giant task. The 50 strong police team expect more

than 100,000 people to come to party at over 600 of Manchester's venues.

As night falls, DC Fernandez and special constable Hanssen head out

to patrol the city's Gay Village, can our street. It is Saturday

night, there is a lot of alcohol, people come out for a good time. The

minorities caused the problems. Despite the party atmosphere,

trouble kicks off. There is a disturbance outside a club. Just

calm down. A man with electric bunny ears is causing trouble. It's a

racist assault. Get off! I am not doing nothing. Get your white hands

off me. You are under arrest for being drunk and disorderly. The man

to the police station to sober up. This particular mail has probably

had too many to drink so he has decided to cause a few issues

well. They have a good working relationship and check licenses

and/or staff to ensure everything is in order -- and door staff. It is

the time of night when serious disturbances can kick off. These PCs

are on duty. Myself and my colleague our response officers in Manchester

city centre we are about to head out and see what we shift brings.

is the time of night when clubs begin to close and some of the

late-night crowd are at their most wrong. Reports of a street brawl

take them across town. -- at their most drunk. The men claim they have

been attacked by a larger group. To calm things down, the police try to

move the men on quickly, but they don't cooperate. One man kicks off.

Get off me! Don't hear Tim! -- don't are under arrest for being drunk and

disorderly. Anything you say may be given in evidence. Up you get.

police decide to arrest him for being drunk and disorderly but the

men haven't finished yet. If I have to have a chat with you one more

time. Start walking that way, now. Start going. If I have to have a

word with you one more time, start going. Leave the area. The PC often

sees cases like this. It is the alcohol problem. These people are

probably very nice people when they are sober but they consume too much

alcohol and get involved in trouble like this, it is unnecessary.

at police HQ, the man is booked into custody. He later paid a fixed

penalty of �80. And the reveller with the bunny ears, he pleaded

guilty to a public order offence and was fine. As the sun comes up, the

team head back out for one last patrol -- and was fined. At the end

of the ship, we have come to do a bit of high visibility patrolling

around the Canal Street area of Manchester. It has quietened down,

it looks like everyone has started to go home which is good news.

just seven arrests out of the tens of thousands visiting the city, it

has been a safe and fun night out for most. However saw their heads

might feel in the morning. A quick update, some potential

sightings of the car which was used in the shocking abduction in East

Manchester. The car is similar to that one. We have had some strong

information on one of the wanted faces from earlier in the week. Mark

Anthony Ward, wanted in connection with stealing a caravan worth more

than �12,000. Martin Anthony Ward, wanted in connection with stealing

that caravan. Have you had a good week? It has been brilliant. Week

three, we are off to London and Kent. We want your help to find the

men who attacked a 71-year-old GP on the driveway of his own home, and we

are up in the skies above London with the Met S support unit. See you

then. -- air support unit. You can head to our website. We are going to