0:00:02 > 0:00:05Thieves will steal our will cash, our cars, our valuables -
0:00:05 > 0:00:07just about anything they can get their hands on.
0:00:09 > 0:00:13But now, the police are using cutting-edge technology to catch the bad guys.
0:00:13 > 0:00:15We want to make sure we've got a concrete case.
0:00:15 > 0:00:17Enough evidence to convict at court.
0:00:17 > 0:00:19Local councils, shops,
0:00:19 > 0:00:23and businesses are fighting crime with their own tricks and traps.
0:00:23 > 0:00:27It's just unbelievable that she thinks she can get away with this.
0:00:27 > 0:00:29And the public are using secret cameras,
0:00:29 > 0:00:32to make sure that crooks get their comeuppance.
0:00:32 > 0:00:35Fair means or foul, I was going to get rid of him.
0:00:35 > 0:00:36I thought, "We've got her!"
0:00:36 > 0:00:39And I was so happy! Thank God!
0:00:40 > 0:00:44So anyone who's up to no good had better think twice.
0:00:44 > 0:00:47They might just get Caught Red Handed.
0:00:51 > 0:00:56Today, armed men have been caught on CCTV carrying out a spate of
0:00:56 > 0:00:57robberies in Greater Manchester.
0:01:00 > 0:01:05Their next target - the corner shop where Dilip and Ian work.
0:01:05 > 0:01:10I was just in shock, really. He was shouting, "Get back, get back".
0:01:10 > 0:01:13I am very, very scared. I said, "What do you want, what do you want?"
0:01:13 > 0:01:14He said, "Open the till."
0:01:14 > 0:01:18The robbers wear balaclavas, because they know they're on camera.
0:01:18 > 0:01:21But they don't know a posse of police is waiting round the corner.
0:01:25 > 0:01:28Also today - Eamonn, who's been blind since birth,
0:01:28 > 0:01:32is convinced someone is sneaking into his flat to steal his money.
0:01:33 > 0:01:36I was living in fear, because I knew someone was coming in,
0:01:36 > 0:01:37and I knew I had to catch them.
0:01:38 > 0:01:41So Eamonn hatches a plan -
0:01:41 > 0:01:45to use an electronic eye to see what his own eyes cannot.
0:01:47 > 0:01:49Also later...
0:01:49 > 0:01:53This ham-fisted felon clearly thinks he can cut it as a burglar.
0:01:53 > 0:01:55Well, he can certainly cut something -
0:01:55 > 0:01:59when putting his elbow through a window ends with a trip to A&E.
0:02:06 > 0:02:09Millions of people in this country work in retail
0:02:09 > 0:02:14and they get used to all sorts of people coming in and out of their shops.
0:02:14 > 0:02:16But armed men with knives and a machete?
0:02:16 > 0:02:18That's a different thing altogether.
0:02:23 > 0:02:25In Altrinchcam, Greater Manchester,
0:02:25 > 0:02:28there's a corner shop where Ian and Dilip work.
0:02:28 > 0:02:30Ian, who grew up in the area,
0:02:30 > 0:02:33has been at the store for two and a half years.
0:02:33 > 0:02:38He's earning money while studying for a marketing degree with the Open University.
0:02:41 > 0:02:44I feel like this job's brought me out of my shell a bit more.
0:02:44 > 0:02:46Interacting with people made it a bit easier for me.
0:02:46 > 0:02:49It's something I used to struggle with a little.
0:02:49 > 0:02:53Dilip has worked at the store since he moved here from France in 2002.
0:02:55 > 0:02:57I like to work in this store.
0:02:57 > 0:03:01I see all the regular customers. They say, "Hello, how are you doing?"
0:03:01 > 0:03:03Nice people.
0:03:03 > 0:03:06The pair have become close mates.
0:03:06 > 0:03:10Me and him, good friends, because he's a good worker.
0:03:10 > 0:03:12Good nature, you know.
0:03:12 > 0:03:13Dilip's full of life.
0:03:13 > 0:03:18He's cheeky, he's funny - he's just a loving family man.
0:03:20 > 0:03:24Ian and Dilip have never experienced any trouble in the store,
0:03:24 > 0:03:27but other retailers in the town haven't been so lucky.
0:03:28 > 0:03:31I'd heard of a robbery near my home. It does play in your mind,
0:03:31 > 0:03:35but I guess I never really imagined that they'd come in the shop.
0:03:35 > 0:03:38You don't expect that sort of thing, really.
0:03:38 > 0:03:42But Ian and Dilip are about to face a robbery of the worst sort -
0:03:42 > 0:03:46an attack by an armed gang wielding knives and a machete.
0:03:50 > 0:03:51It's an evening in winter.
0:03:53 > 0:03:57The shop CCTV camera shows that Dilip and Ian are busy.
0:03:57 > 0:03:58They've just come on shift.
0:03:59 > 0:04:01The day started like any other day,
0:04:01 > 0:04:04just looking forward to working with Dilip,
0:04:04 > 0:04:05seeing what he'd been up to,
0:04:05 > 0:04:08then getting on the till and speaking to the customers.
0:04:10 > 0:04:12After the evening rush dies down,
0:04:12 > 0:04:14Dilip leaves the till to stock the shelves.
0:04:18 > 0:04:22Outside, a street security camera shows a car pulling up near the shop,
0:04:22 > 0:04:25and then it parks around the corner, out of sight.
0:04:28 > 0:04:32Moments later, a man emerges and walks to the shop,
0:04:32 > 0:04:35and then, two other men appear with a package. They open it...
0:04:37 > 0:04:39..and take out a machete!
0:04:41 > 0:04:42They run to the store.
0:04:43 > 0:04:46When the first man arrives at the door, Ian looks up,
0:04:46 > 0:04:48not realising what's happening.
0:04:49 > 0:04:50I thought it was a joke.
0:04:50 > 0:04:55I know there's a few pranksters in the area that like to have a little bit of a laugh.
0:04:55 > 0:04:56But it's no joke.
0:04:56 > 0:04:59Suddenly, all three robbers burst in.
0:05:00 > 0:05:03I was just in shock to see someone with a weapon in their hand.
0:05:03 > 0:05:05He was shouting "Get back, get back!"
0:05:05 > 0:05:08One of the men jumps over the counter.
0:05:08 > 0:05:11Dilip, who is in another part of the store, can hear the shouting
0:05:11 > 0:05:13but can't see what's happening.
0:05:13 > 0:05:18Somebody running, and I'm thinking, kids. I said, "Who...?
0:05:18 > 0:05:19"Who is this?"
0:05:19 > 0:05:23The man with the machete runs towards Dilip.
0:05:23 > 0:05:26I'm very, very scared. I say, "What do you want? What do you want?"
0:05:26 > 0:05:29He says, "Open the till. Go to behind counter."
0:05:29 > 0:05:33Dilip bravely refuses and runs away from the man.
0:05:33 > 0:05:36Ian sees what's happening from a distance, but is powerless to intervene.
0:05:39 > 0:05:43I was worried for Dilip, wondering what's happening to him.
0:05:43 > 0:05:46The machete man catches up with Dilip, who shoves him away,
0:05:46 > 0:05:48and tries to keep him at a distance.
0:05:52 > 0:05:55The third robber, who is carrying a large kitchen knife,
0:05:55 > 0:05:56is keeping watch in the doorway.
0:05:58 > 0:06:04Meanwhile, Ian is being pushed towards the small office behind the counter.
0:06:04 > 0:06:08The person that was stuck with me asked me to open the back room.
0:06:08 > 0:06:10The robber thinks there's cash in that room,
0:06:10 > 0:06:13and he isn't willing to wait for Ian to open it.
0:06:15 > 0:06:16He just tried kicking the door.
0:06:19 > 0:06:22The cameras behind the counter show that the man with the machete
0:06:22 > 0:06:25has now cornered Dilip, who is near the till.
0:06:25 > 0:06:28He said, "Can you open the till?" I say, "OK."
0:06:28 > 0:06:30But Dilip doesn't open it.
0:06:30 > 0:06:34Instead, he makes a courageous decision to press a panic button.
0:06:34 > 0:06:35This infuriates the robber.
0:06:37 > 0:06:39He shoves Dilip, who falls backwards,
0:06:39 > 0:06:43smashing his head into some light switches,
0:06:43 > 0:06:45and plunging the shop into darkness.
0:06:47 > 0:06:52Dilip now has a nasty gash on his head, caused by hitting the switches.
0:06:52 > 0:06:59I put my hand, my finger here, I press it. I...blood, you know.
0:06:59 > 0:07:02And I'm very, very scared this time. Very scared.
0:07:03 > 0:07:05Ian can't see what's happened,
0:07:05 > 0:07:09but he's heard the commotion when Dilip was knocked down.
0:07:09 > 0:07:10It was definitely worrying to think,
0:07:10 > 0:07:14wow, he could've hit him with a machete.
0:07:14 > 0:07:18The frustrated robbers scream at Dilip to open the tills and give them cash.
0:07:18 > 0:07:21It looks like they're about to snap. Anything could happen.
0:07:24 > 0:07:27Later, the robbers get a shock.
0:07:27 > 0:07:30They find themselves in the middle of a major police operation.
0:07:41 > 0:07:45This pair of hapless and hopeless housebreakers
0:07:45 > 0:07:48may look like a couple of students who've lost their keys,
0:07:48 > 0:07:50but they're actually casing the joint.
0:07:52 > 0:07:56One of them is so relaxed as he casually checks out the easiest way
0:07:56 > 0:07:59to break in, he takes a phone call with one hand,
0:07:59 > 0:08:01while holding his drinks bottle in the other.
0:08:03 > 0:08:07He's Mr oh-so-cool, but not for long -
0:08:07 > 0:08:10because he's about to make a schoolboy error,
0:08:10 > 0:08:13using his elbow to break the window by the front door.
0:08:16 > 0:08:21He doesn't seem to realise broken glass can be sharp -
0:08:21 > 0:08:24because when he tries a third time,
0:08:24 > 0:08:26he cuts himself!
0:08:26 > 0:08:28So, with his red drinks bottle in one hand,
0:08:28 > 0:08:33and now a nasty cut in the other, this lad's caught red-handed -
0:08:33 > 0:08:35quite literally.
0:08:35 > 0:08:39His mate tries to use their swag bag as a makeshift bandage,
0:08:39 > 0:08:40but fumbles the first aid.
0:08:41 > 0:08:44The panic-stricken pair then leg it.
0:08:46 > 0:08:49The police have caught up with one of them, while the other
0:08:49 > 0:08:50is still being hunted.
0:08:51 > 0:08:55It's time they realise they're not cut out for a life of crime.
0:09:02 > 0:09:07A concierge working at an apartment block creeps into one of the flats.
0:09:07 > 0:09:11He goes straight to a money box and steals the cash inside.
0:09:12 > 0:09:14The thief thinks he won't be spotted,
0:09:14 > 0:09:17because the man who lives here is blind.
0:09:17 > 0:09:20But this sneaky burglar has underestimated his victim,
0:09:20 > 0:09:22who has other ways of keeping an eye on things.
0:09:30 > 0:09:3340-year-old Eamonn moved to Liverpool ten years ago.
0:09:33 > 0:09:35Though he's been blind since birth,
0:09:35 > 0:09:40Eamonn has forged a career in the civil service and leads an independent life.
0:09:40 > 0:09:44Nothing stops me from doing the things that I want to do.
0:09:44 > 0:09:46And that includes playing sport.
0:09:46 > 0:09:51Eamonn helps run an organisation called Sports and Activities for the Visually Impaired.
0:09:53 > 0:09:56I'm really proud, because it isn't just about me playing sport -
0:09:56 > 0:09:59it's about enabling others to do the same.
0:09:59 > 0:10:05Eamonn is also proud about recently becoming a homeowner for the first time.
0:10:05 > 0:10:08I purchased this flat just over a year ago.
0:10:08 > 0:10:13It's concierged 24 hours a day, so that basically means in layman's terms,
0:10:13 > 0:10:16there's a man or a lady on the front desk.
0:10:16 > 0:10:19And one of the key reasons why I made the purchase
0:10:19 > 0:10:22was because it had that element of security attached to it.
0:10:22 > 0:10:26But the very reason Eamonn felt secure at these flats
0:10:26 > 0:10:29was soon to make him feel very insecure indeed.
0:10:32 > 0:10:35It's winter, early evening.
0:10:35 > 0:10:37Eamonn comes home from the sports club
0:10:37 > 0:10:39and notices some cash has disappeared.
0:10:41 > 0:10:44When I went back and looked for the money I'd left on the table,
0:10:44 > 0:10:46it wasn't there. And I was sort of like...
0:10:46 > 0:10:48There's no-one been in. No-one could have moved it.
0:10:48 > 0:10:50I asked my cleaner to have a look.
0:10:50 > 0:10:53She couldn't find it and I just thought, well, it's one of those things.
0:10:53 > 0:10:55But in the weeks that follow,
0:10:55 > 0:10:59Eamonn notices money repeatedly going missing from his savings tin.
0:10:59 > 0:11:02I started to think, I am either losing my mind,
0:11:02 > 0:11:04or there's too much going wrong
0:11:04 > 0:11:09and what I do is, I collect money for specific occasions.
0:11:09 > 0:11:13The highlight of Eamonn's year is the Cheltenham horse racing festival.
0:11:13 > 0:11:16This year, I'd arranged to go there with a friend of mine.
0:11:16 > 0:11:20We'd booked accommodation. I was really looking forward to the races.
0:11:20 > 0:11:23But when he goes to his tin to count his betting money,
0:11:23 > 0:11:25Eamonn gets a shock.
0:11:25 > 0:11:27Literally, there was nothing there.
0:11:27 > 0:11:29Like just coppers.
0:11:29 > 0:11:32It was really light. And I was like, "No, no, no, this hasn't happened."
0:11:32 > 0:11:36I haven't took the money. I haven't... What's going on, like?
0:11:36 > 0:11:39Eamonn cancels his long-awaited trip to Cheltenham.
0:11:39 > 0:11:42He is now certain someone is stealing from him.
0:11:42 > 0:11:47My first instinct was just to stop collecting the money and hide the tin and hear no more about it.
0:11:47 > 0:11:51Then I thought to myself, well, if I'm right and this is happening to me,
0:11:51 > 0:11:54then ultimately, the only winner is the person who's taken the money -
0:11:54 > 0:11:58because I can't keep money in my own bedroom and feel safe.
0:11:58 > 0:12:00So I thought at first, change the locks, do this, do that.
0:12:00 > 0:12:03And I thought, that doesn't actually solve the problem.
0:12:03 > 0:12:07I need to solve the problem. I need to understand who is doing this.
0:12:07 > 0:12:12I knew it was someone who was either very close to me or was in a position of trust.
0:12:12 > 0:12:15Eamonn racks his brains, thinking who the thief could be,
0:12:15 > 0:12:20and then realises the apartment block's concierges have keys to all the flats,
0:12:20 > 0:12:25and Eamonn feels suspicious about one concierge in particular.
0:12:25 > 0:12:29They were always asking questions about where I was going,
0:12:29 > 0:12:34and where I'd been. You know, you make conversation with people, but you start to think,
0:12:34 > 0:12:38actually, are they asking too many questions here?
0:12:38 > 0:12:41Eamonn becomes increasingly worried and fearful.
0:12:41 > 0:12:45I did start to struggle to sleep and I did start to wonder if any noise
0:12:45 > 0:12:46was related to someone coming in.
0:12:46 > 0:12:49You know, they're just coming in as they like, so, you know,
0:12:49 > 0:12:52are they going to get more brave, are they going to do more?
0:12:52 > 0:12:55I think it's the first time in a long time that I've actually thought
0:12:55 > 0:12:58about being blind and being weak as a result of that
0:12:58 > 0:13:03and maybe that's why I felt so scared and vulnerable as soon as it happened to me,
0:13:03 > 0:13:07because those feelings were brought into play. I don't know.
0:13:07 > 0:13:10But Eamonn isn't going to be beaten.
0:13:10 > 0:13:13He hatches a plan to catch the thief.
0:13:13 > 0:13:18Stage one - asking a friend to add up exactly how much money is in the tin.
0:13:18 > 0:13:21I actually asked someone separate to me to count it,
0:13:21 > 0:13:24to ensure there was no ambiguity.
0:13:24 > 0:13:29Stage two - going away for the weekend, leaving £135 in the tin.
0:13:30 > 0:13:34When he returns two days later, over half the money is gone -
0:13:34 > 0:13:36and there's no sign of a break-in.
0:13:36 > 0:13:39I got my friend to count the money again.
0:13:39 > 0:13:45That was my concrete proof that I was being stolen from and it was someone using a key.
0:13:45 > 0:13:48So Eamonn moves onto the next stage of his plan -
0:13:48 > 0:13:54using his audio narration computer to find a security company to install a spy camera.
0:13:54 > 0:13:58He wants to get video evidence he can take to the police.
0:13:58 > 0:14:01Being a blind man, looking for CCTV is probably not something
0:14:01 > 0:14:04that I ever thought that I would have to do.
0:14:04 > 0:14:07So I took a couple of weeks to get that all set up and in place.
0:14:09 > 0:14:14A security consultant comes and installs a cleverly disguised camera.
0:14:15 > 0:14:18In a perverse way, I was really quite excited.
0:14:18 > 0:14:20I'm going to catch this person out,
0:14:20 > 0:14:23and finally stop this from happening to me.
0:14:24 > 0:14:27The next night, that particular concierge is on duty.
0:14:27 > 0:14:31Eamonn goes out and tells the man he won't be back for several hours.
0:14:31 > 0:14:35The spy camera is activated whenever it senses motion.
0:14:36 > 0:14:39And it isn't long before it triggers into record mode.
0:14:41 > 0:14:43Eamonn's bedroom door opens
0:14:43 > 0:14:47and in walks the concierge he has his doubts about.
0:14:48 > 0:14:52He goes straight to Eamonn's money tin and starts pocketing cash.
0:14:52 > 0:14:55The concierge carefully picks out the coins that have the most value.
0:14:58 > 0:15:02When he decides he's stolen enough, he leaves,
0:15:02 > 0:15:04with one final glance back,
0:15:04 > 0:15:07perhaps to check he's left the tin exactly as he found it.
0:15:10 > 0:15:12Eamonn returns a few hours later.
0:15:13 > 0:15:17I got back and the concierge was sort of there -
0:15:17 > 0:15:20"Hello, mate. How are you doing? Where have you been? What have you been up to?"
0:15:20 > 0:15:22Sort of... There he was, larger-than-life.
0:15:22 > 0:15:26And I couldn't wait to get into the lift,
0:15:26 > 0:15:30but still trying to be personable.
0:15:30 > 0:15:34As soon as he gets inside his flat, Eamonn counts the money in the tin.
0:15:34 > 0:15:36£20 has been taken.
0:15:37 > 0:15:41I knew that my CCTV was up there and it had captured all that I needed,
0:15:41 > 0:15:47and I was really frustrated that I couldn't just have a look and see who it was.
0:15:47 > 0:15:50Eamonn can't wait to find out exactly what's happened.
0:15:50 > 0:15:53He calls in the security expert who fitted the camera.
0:15:54 > 0:15:58The consultant came and reviewed the footage with me and obviously,
0:15:58 > 0:16:00we identified who it was.
0:16:00 > 0:16:04He now has clear-cut video evidence of who has been stealing from him.
0:16:05 > 0:16:09I was relieved that it was him and I was relieved that I was right.
0:16:09 > 0:16:11Eamonn calls in the police,
0:16:11 > 0:16:16but the concierge somehow gets wind that he is wanted and disappears.
0:16:16 > 0:16:19He must have realised that he wasn't going to get away with it because a
0:16:19 > 0:16:22week later, he hands himself in.
0:16:22 > 0:16:24Eamonn has got his man.
0:16:24 > 0:16:28It angers me that someone thought that I was so stupid.
0:16:28 > 0:16:32Someone thought that I wouldn't realise that something was happening to me.
0:16:32 > 0:16:34And they thought that even if I did,
0:16:34 > 0:16:37I'd be too weak to do something about it.
0:16:37 > 0:16:40The good news is, though - I knew I was going to have the last laugh,
0:16:40 > 0:16:45because the one way that he never thought that he would get caught would be through sight -
0:16:45 > 0:16:47and that's exactly how I caught him.
0:16:50 > 0:16:55In court, the man pleaded guilty to burglary and was sentenced to 12
0:16:55 > 0:16:58months in prison, suspended for two years.
0:16:58 > 0:17:03He was ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work and 20 days of rehabilitation.
0:17:03 > 0:17:08He must also pay £890 in costs and compensation.
0:17:15 > 0:17:17Eamonn now keeps his savings in the bank,
0:17:17 > 0:17:21but he does feel he got the right result in the end.
0:17:21 > 0:17:26It's been a horrible thing to go through and you wouldn't wish it on anybody.
0:17:26 > 0:17:30But I believe I'm a stronger person as a result of the actions I
0:17:30 > 0:17:34have taken and I'm very proud that I sorted it out.
0:17:41 > 0:17:44It's terrible to see Eamonn taken advantage of like that
0:17:44 > 0:17:45and by someone he knew,
0:17:45 > 0:17:48but thieves don't care if they know you or not.
0:17:48 > 0:17:51All they're interested in is your cash and your valuables.
0:17:51 > 0:17:54So, what can you do if you suspect someone you know is stealing from you?
0:17:55 > 0:17:58To support any suspicions that you may have,
0:17:58 > 0:18:01think about gathering information
0:18:01 > 0:18:03and gathering evidence against that person.
0:18:03 > 0:18:05Record times and dates.
0:18:05 > 0:18:08Record what you've got and what goes missing.
0:18:08 > 0:18:11Marking notes helps us to potentially recover that property
0:18:11 > 0:18:14and identify where it has come from.
0:18:14 > 0:18:16So if you keep records of the serial numbers,
0:18:16 > 0:18:17or mark the notes with a UV pen,
0:18:17 > 0:18:21there is a greater chance we'll actually be able to link that back to your crime.
0:18:21 > 0:18:23CCTV evidence is really, really valuable.
0:18:23 > 0:18:25The thing you need to consider is where you're going to place it,
0:18:25 > 0:18:27what it's actually going to record,
0:18:27 > 0:18:30and actually making sure that you have good quality CCTV that is
0:18:30 > 0:18:32evidentially useful to the police.
0:18:32 > 0:18:35Cameras can be hid behind photo frames.
0:18:35 > 0:18:38You can get very, very small cameras
0:18:38 > 0:18:41which could be fitted on the top of a bookcase.
0:18:41 > 0:18:44If you are confident that you've got the evidence against them,
0:18:44 > 0:18:47contact the police, let THEM do the confronting.
0:18:47 > 0:18:50Let them do the investigation and bring them to justice.
0:18:59 > 0:19:00We are back in Altrincham,
0:19:00 > 0:19:03where a corner shop is being robbed by three violent men
0:19:03 > 0:19:05brandishing knives and a machete.
0:19:07 > 0:19:10Shop assistants Ian and Dilip are in fear for their lives,
0:19:10 > 0:19:14but Dilip has bravely pressed a panic button.
0:19:14 > 0:19:17I am very, very scared. Very scared.
0:19:17 > 0:19:19I hoped he was OK.
0:19:19 > 0:19:22Obviously, he's got a family that want him home safe.
0:19:24 > 0:19:29The raid on Dilip and Ian's shop is just the latest in a serious violent
0:19:29 > 0:19:31robberies that have been taking place in Greater Manchester.
0:19:33 > 0:19:36Over the previous months,
0:19:36 > 0:19:38grocery stores have been attacked.
0:19:40 > 0:19:42Bookmakers have been raided...
0:19:44 > 0:19:48..and other businesses ransacked by ruthless armed men.
0:19:49 > 0:19:53A large number of shop workers have had to live through dangerous and
0:19:53 > 0:19:54traumatic experiences.
0:19:57 > 0:20:02Detective Sergeant Richard Castley of Greater Manchester Police's Serious Organised Crime Group
0:20:02 > 0:20:04has been leading the investigation.
0:20:06 > 0:20:08When we look at offences, we will look at patterns.
0:20:08 > 0:20:11You could clearly see that these offences were connected.
0:20:11 > 0:20:13Because of the location, which is in the Trafford area,
0:20:13 > 0:20:16and because of the way they are committing the offences,
0:20:16 > 0:20:18which is going in with large kitchen knives,
0:20:18 > 0:20:21they're threatening people working in shops with these weapons.
0:20:21 > 0:20:24They're obviously terrified of what's going to happen to them.
0:20:24 > 0:20:26The clothing they was wearing was the same, generally,
0:20:26 > 0:20:29so we could clearly see that these offences were all linked.
0:20:29 > 0:20:34In the weeks leading up to the raid on Dilip and Ian's corner shop,
0:20:34 > 0:20:38Richard's team has been working hard to identify the men who always cover
0:20:38 > 0:20:41their faces with balaclavas.
0:20:41 > 0:20:43We'll look at their height, the build of these people,
0:20:43 > 0:20:46we will look at the intelligence surrounding people to see what they
0:20:46 > 0:20:48are involved in and what they are doing and via that,
0:20:48 > 0:20:50we identify a group of suspects.
0:20:51 > 0:20:54The intelligence leads Richard to two main suspects -
0:20:54 > 0:20:5845-year-old Paul Sheridan and 38-year-old Andre Chevelleau.
0:20:59 > 0:21:03But he doesn't have enough evidence to arrest them.
0:21:03 > 0:21:06We know who is potentially committing them, but we just don't have enough
0:21:06 > 0:21:08evidence to show a court, so at that point,
0:21:08 > 0:21:12we then decide the only option we have is to run a proactive operation on them,
0:21:12 > 0:21:15which is to run surveillance on these people.
0:21:15 > 0:21:19And that is why earlier, on the day of the attack on Dilip and Ian's
0:21:19 > 0:21:21shop, undercover officers have
0:21:21 > 0:21:24already started a surveillance operation,
0:21:24 > 0:21:26watching Sheridan at his house.
0:21:26 > 0:21:28When it gets to evening time,
0:21:28 > 0:21:33it looks like Sheridan and his gang might be about to strike again.
0:21:33 > 0:21:37Our main subject goes into an estate where he lives and he gets into a
0:21:37 > 0:21:40vehicle which is an unregistered vehicle - not registered to him,
0:21:40 > 0:21:42not insured, and starts to drive off.
0:21:44 > 0:21:46The surveillance officers follow Sheridan.
0:21:46 > 0:21:51He drives over to pick up Chevelleau, their other main suspect.
0:21:51 > 0:21:56Then they pick up a third man, 35-year-old Luke Enright.
0:21:56 > 0:21:59The officers keep Richard informed so he can relay instructions to the
0:21:59 > 0:22:03other unit under his command for this operation.
0:22:03 > 0:22:07We've always got to anticipate that they are going to go and commit a robbery.
0:22:07 > 0:22:10So I have to plan - when I've got a surveillance unit,
0:22:10 > 0:22:13I'll have to have an arrest team as well and on this occasion,
0:22:13 > 0:22:15it was the Tactical Vehicle Intercept Unit.
0:22:15 > 0:22:17So they are always with us throughout.
0:22:18 > 0:22:23The car they are watching drives over to the corner shop where Ian and Dilip work.
0:22:24 > 0:22:26At that stage, I'm nervous, because
0:22:26 > 0:22:28I'm thinking to myself, what are they going to do?
0:22:28 > 0:22:31They could be going, just meeting some friends and socialising.
0:22:31 > 0:22:34They could be doing a robbery. I don't know what they're going to do.
0:22:34 > 0:22:36Richard decides to wait before striking.
0:22:36 > 0:22:40In an operation like this, the arrest team will make a move on his order,
0:22:40 > 0:22:43and the timing has to be just right.
0:22:43 > 0:22:47There's a fine line between arresting too early and not having enough evidence.
0:22:47 > 0:22:49Basically, you arrest them,
0:22:49 > 0:22:52no evidence and then they're released to carry on their criminality -
0:22:52 > 0:22:55and invariably knowing that we are looking at them -
0:22:55 > 0:22:56or arresting too late.
0:22:56 > 0:23:00I could arrest too late and it could be the fact that they've seriously hurt someone.
0:23:02 > 0:23:05The gang storms into the shop.
0:23:05 > 0:23:09One robber leaps over the counter towards Ian, and moments later,
0:23:09 > 0:23:12another can be seen chasing Dilip with a machete.
0:23:14 > 0:23:17Then he pushes Dilip, whose head hits some light switches,
0:23:17 > 0:23:20cutting it badly and plunging the shop into darkness.
0:23:21 > 0:23:25While Ian and Dilip are facing the most dangerous and frightening
0:23:25 > 0:23:26experience of their lives,
0:23:26 > 0:23:31they are not to know that there's a police team racing to rescue them from their ordeal.
0:23:31 > 0:23:35Mercifully, they only have to endure this horror for less than a minute.
0:23:37 > 0:23:39I know they are going to be there within a matter of seconds.
0:23:39 > 0:23:42However, it does feel like an eternity.
0:23:43 > 0:23:45When the police arrive, the robbers see them,
0:23:45 > 0:23:47panic and make a run for it.
0:23:49 > 0:23:52Some of the officers have tasers to try and stop the men
0:23:52 > 0:23:54and a police dog helps chase them down.
0:23:56 > 0:23:59You are a little bit nervous because your friends have come out,
0:23:59 > 0:24:01they've ran off, the police officers going at them.
0:24:01 > 0:24:03Then getting the occasional one detained.
0:24:03 > 0:24:05But I'm wanting all three detained,
0:24:05 > 0:24:08so for that short period, I'm hoping no-one's got away.
0:24:10 > 0:24:12Then Richard receives the news he's been waiting for.
0:24:14 > 0:24:16Three people have been arrested. All three of the suspects.
0:24:18 > 0:24:21Inside the shop, Ian and Dilip are in a state of shock.
0:24:21 > 0:24:25A bit bewildered really, wondering what was going on.
0:24:25 > 0:24:28And then I look at the door and there was a police officer stood there,
0:24:28 > 0:24:30which was a huge relief.
0:24:30 > 0:24:34I am really happy the police arrest the people.
0:24:34 > 0:24:39Ian remained calm during the ordeal, but now, it's a different story.
0:24:39 > 0:24:43Afterwards, it just hit me - "Oh, my God, that's just happened!
0:24:43 > 0:24:47"You could have been hurt and Dilip could have been hurt worse than what he was."
0:24:47 > 0:24:51I guess it's just the nerves hitting you after the adrenaline was
0:24:51 > 0:24:53maybe keeping them at bay.
0:24:53 > 0:24:55But this case is not yet closed.
0:24:55 > 0:24:57With the robbers in custody,
0:24:57 > 0:25:00Richard's team must now focus on building a watertight case
0:25:00 > 0:25:06against them for all of their crimes, not just one. No easy task.
0:25:06 > 0:25:08These suspects are quite arrogant.
0:25:08 > 0:25:10Quite dismissive of what is going on.
0:25:10 > 0:25:14They're saying to us, "We're going to get short prison sentences -
0:25:14 > 0:25:15"we'll be out quite soon," etc.
0:25:15 > 0:25:19But Richard knows there are a number of shocked and frightened victims
0:25:19 > 0:25:23relying on him to put this gang away for a long time.
0:25:23 > 0:25:28It's important for us to get them prosecuted for the level of criminality they have committed.
0:25:28 > 0:25:30If they have committed seven offences,
0:25:30 > 0:25:32they get convicted of seven offences.
0:25:32 > 0:25:36And that's important that they get a longer sentence for what they have
0:25:36 > 0:25:40done and also to give closure to the victims of the other attacks.
0:25:41 > 0:25:44The investigation enters a new phase.
0:25:44 > 0:25:49Analysis of the CCTV from Ian and Dilip's shop and all the others,
0:25:49 > 0:25:51using the latest police technology,
0:25:51 > 0:25:55can provide evidence that will make sure these robbers face justice.
0:25:55 > 0:25:59Every item of evidence seized from the suspects and their houses is
0:25:59 > 0:26:04painstakingly matched to the CCTV footage of all the robberies.
0:26:04 > 0:26:08And soon, Richard's team make significant progress.
0:26:08 > 0:26:12A coat that's identical to one worn at a raid on a bookies is found
0:26:12 > 0:26:14at one of the robbers' houses.
0:26:14 > 0:26:16And a pair of gloves.
0:26:16 > 0:26:18And a balaclava.
0:26:18 > 0:26:23And other clothing found is also matched to images from the raids.
0:26:23 > 0:26:25It all linked in very well and very nicely.
0:26:25 > 0:26:30It can't be anyone else, because there's not another team of armed robbers doing exactly the same as
0:26:30 > 0:26:32them, wearing exactly the same clothing,
0:26:32 > 0:26:35going round the same area of Greater Manchester, committing the robberies.
0:26:35 > 0:26:37It's these people we've arrested.
0:26:37 > 0:26:40DNA evidence is also compiled and incriminating information
0:26:40 > 0:26:42gleaned from the robbers' phones.
0:26:43 > 0:26:45When my team have put it all together,
0:26:45 > 0:26:49we've got seven offences that these people are going to get convicted of.
0:26:49 > 0:26:51I'm really happy then.
0:26:51 > 0:26:53Now Richard's team has done its work,
0:26:53 > 0:26:56the suspects have less to be arrogant about.
0:26:56 > 0:26:58They're going to jail for a long time.
0:27:03 > 0:27:07In the Crown Court, Paul Sheridan was convicted of seven counts relating
0:27:07 > 0:27:12to actual or attempted robberies and was sentenced to 11 years in prison,
0:27:12 > 0:27:14plus a further three years on licence.
0:27:17 > 0:27:22Andre Chevelleau was convicted of six counts relating to actual or attempted robberies
0:27:22 > 0:27:24and was sentenced to ten years in prison.
0:27:26 > 0:27:30And Luke Enright was sentenced to seven years in prison plus a further
0:27:30 > 0:27:33three years on licence for the raid on Dilip and Ian's shop.
0:27:38 > 0:27:42Richard and his team were delighted with the sentences.
0:27:42 > 0:27:45I like to put these people in prison because they are just bullies at the
0:27:45 > 0:27:46end of the day. They're going out,
0:27:46 > 0:27:49they're harassing people who are working for a living,
0:27:49 > 0:27:50they're causing trauma to people.
0:27:50 > 0:27:52They should be put in prison for a long time.
0:27:52 > 0:27:56The public are protected and I'm happy they've got their comeuppance.
0:27:57 > 0:28:01Dilip needed seven stitches to patch up his head wound,
0:28:01 > 0:28:05but he and Ian are now back at work and recovering from the ordeal.
0:28:06 > 0:28:07Even though it was bad,
0:28:07 > 0:28:12it's still something that makes you look back and say, you know,
0:28:12 > 0:28:14"We went through that together."
0:28:20 > 0:28:23That's it for today, and that's it for a few more criminals
0:28:23 > 0:28:25who have been Caught Red Handed.