0:00:03 > 0:00:06In the UK, there's a burglary every 45 seconds.
0:00:22 > 0:00:25But right across Britain, committed police forces
0:00:25 > 0:00:28are leading the battle to stop the thieves in their tracks.
0:00:29 > 0:00:31Police! Come and open the door,
0:00:31 > 0:00:33otherwise entry's going to have to be forced!
0:00:34 > 0:00:37For the victims of these crimes it can take months,
0:00:37 > 0:00:40or even years, to overcome the trauma.
0:00:40 > 0:00:42It's getting to me now.
0:00:42 > 0:00:45Yeah, last night I just sort of felt it was al...
0:00:45 > 0:00:47It was almost as if it hadn't happened, it was very surreal.
0:00:47 > 0:00:51But in this series, we're about to show them - and you -
0:00:51 > 0:00:54how we can all fight back against the burglars.
0:00:55 > 0:00:56This is...
0:00:59 > 0:01:01On today's show, we meet Heidi -
0:01:01 > 0:01:04who's had a desperate year after battling cancer,
0:01:04 > 0:01:07and now she's been burgled.
0:01:07 > 0:01:11I've... I'm having chemotherapy at the moment, so you can imagine.
0:01:13 > 0:01:16And you think, you know, "I've worked hard, it's not like they were..."
0:01:16 > 0:01:20You know, and they're presents and I'll never get those back now, will I?
0:01:20 > 0:01:24But my army of helpers have pulled out all the stops to turn things around.
0:01:24 > 0:01:28And I'd like to say thank you very much to you, for all your help.
0:01:28 > 0:01:31You know, it's been a process and I don't think it would have been as...
0:01:31 > 0:01:33easily done if it hadn't been for you.
0:01:33 > 0:01:37And whilst I work hard to improve Heidi's security,
0:01:37 > 0:01:40I also join the police as they go on the offensive.
0:01:41 > 0:01:45With every burglary costing the taxpayer around £4,000,
0:01:45 > 0:01:48this force is going all out to catch the thieves,
0:01:48 > 0:01:50using everything at their disposal.
0:01:57 > 0:01:58It's 6.30 in the evening
0:01:58 > 0:02:01and in a district of Leeds, a call from a woman is coming in.
0:02:20 > 0:02:24After returning from a long day at work, Heidi discovered
0:02:24 > 0:02:27that thieves have stolen treasured items from her house.
0:02:28 > 0:02:31We just had a call - there's a burglary at this address.
0:02:31 > 0:02:33We know very little about it, which is often the case.
0:02:33 > 0:02:36There's one officer on the scene, so let's have a chat.
0:02:38 > 0:02:39Tell me what happened today.
0:02:39 > 0:02:43I've come home from work and I've walked in and the door is open here.
0:02:43 > 0:02:45And I thought, "That's strange,"
0:02:45 > 0:02:48and I've noticed that my conservatory door is ajar.
0:02:48 > 0:02:50My laptop is still here.
0:02:50 > 0:02:52So I've walked upstairs and there's all black footprints,
0:02:52 > 0:02:56and people have been in and stolen all my jewellery. And it's stuff that I won't replace.
0:02:56 > 0:03:00There's stuff from my godmother, who's dead now, and necklaces and bracelets and...
0:03:00 > 0:03:04It wasn't, I suppose, a massive amount of money but it's not the point, really.
0:03:04 > 0:03:07The point is that you've had someone in your home.
0:03:07 > 0:03:11'The thieves broke through the patio door that led into the conservatory.'
0:03:11 > 0:03:13Oh, yeah. You can see some markings here.
0:03:13 > 0:03:16So do you think they've actually levered it open?
0:03:16 > 0:03:19Usually you'd expect this bit to be broken off
0:03:19 > 0:03:21and the lock barrel snapped.
0:03:21 > 0:03:25So I'm quite surprised they managed to jemmy this door open.
0:03:25 > 0:03:26Very surprised.
0:03:29 > 0:03:32'It seems the criminals knew what they were looking for -
0:03:32 > 0:03:36'and it's only when we get upstairs that the full extent of the burglary becomes apparent.'
0:03:36 > 0:03:39- Oh, look, you've got... - Yeah, if you look you can see.
0:03:39 > 0:03:42They've put all your stuff on the floor. Look at it. Absolutely rifled through.
0:03:42 > 0:03:47They shut my curtains because, obviously, they don't want people looking in, do they?
0:03:47 > 0:03:52And, Heidi, when you came home and you saw all your personal items,
0:03:52 > 0:03:56or what's left of them, on the floor, scattered like that...
0:03:56 > 0:03:58- Gutted.- Is that how you feel?
0:03:58 > 0:04:00Yeah. I've had a really bad year.
0:04:00 > 0:04:05I've... I'm having chemotherapy at the moment, so you can imagine.
0:04:07 > 0:04:10You think, you know, "I've worked hard. It's not like they were..."
0:04:10 > 0:04:14You know, and they're presents and I'll never get those back now, will I?
0:04:14 > 0:04:17Cos it... I've got some costume jewellery they've left me -
0:04:17 > 0:04:20they obviously knew what they were looking for. I don't feel very secure now.
0:04:21 > 0:04:25Your home is YOUR home, isn't it? And YOU invite people into your home.
0:04:25 > 0:04:31When someone comes uninvited, it's awful and... But what can I say?
0:04:31 > 0:04:32At least it wasn't late at night -
0:04:32 > 0:04:35at least it wasn't in the middle of the night.
0:04:35 > 0:04:37Just an awful thing for you to come home and find.
0:04:37 > 0:04:40Yeah. Yeah, it was a bit of a shock. I'm still a bit shocked.
0:04:40 > 0:04:43So the police have called the Scenes of Crime team
0:04:43 > 0:04:48to come and have a look and just see if there's anything that they can find - clues...
0:04:48 > 0:04:49- Yeah.- ..as to who might have done this.
0:04:49 > 0:04:52I'd imagine they'd want to have a close look over there
0:04:52 > 0:04:55at some of these surfaces, especially the drawers
0:04:55 > 0:04:57and the inside of the drawers and bits and pieces.
0:05:02 > 0:05:04As the Scenes of Crime officer arrives,
0:05:04 > 0:05:06PC James Birks checks with the neighbours
0:05:06 > 0:05:09to see if they have any vital information.
0:05:09 > 0:05:11There's been a burglary next door but one today.
0:05:11 > 0:05:15- I just wondered if you'd heard or seen anything, basically. - I've been at work all day.
0:05:15 > 0:05:18So this was the point of entry, so Scenes of Crime are just having
0:05:18 > 0:05:24a look now just to see if there's any marks - any finger marks, especially.
0:05:24 > 0:05:25So he's just doing a dust-out now.
0:05:25 > 0:05:30I mean, it looks like quite a brutal way of forcing that door open,
0:05:30 > 0:05:33so it may not have too many, but it's always worth trying.
0:05:33 > 0:05:37And it's a nice smooth surface so he's got something to work with.
0:05:37 > 0:05:41'The lock is intact, but I'm amazed that these doors have been forced -
0:05:41 > 0:05:43'something you don't expect.
0:05:43 > 0:05:46'For PC Birks, it's not the only line of enquiry.'
0:05:46 > 0:05:48There's a primary school at the back, as well,
0:05:48 > 0:05:51so we'll be looking for CCTV enquiries there.
0:05:51 > 0:05:54A lot of people do have CCTV, as well, so it's...
0:05:54 > 0:05:58You know, if anyone does have CCTV in the area then, you know,
0:05:58 > 0:06:01I'll be asking them to check through their database.
0:06:01 > 0:06:04'Meanwhile I'm seeing how the Scenes of Crime officer
0:06:04 > 0:06:06'is getting on with the forensics.'
0:06:06 > 0:06:08If you have a look by the fence,
0:06:08 > 0:06:12I mean, it looks like a... Some sort of footwear mark down the bottom.
0:06:12 > 0:06:16So it seems that's the way the offender's
0:06:16 > 0:06:19come into the property and possibly left, as well.
0:06:19 > 0:06:23But what he's doing now is just seeing if he can find out where he's gone from this point.
0:06:23 > 0:06:27And trying to find if you can see an escape route.
0:06:27 > 0:06:29'For Heidi, the end of a long working day
0:06:29 > 0:06:34'has become every homeowner's worst nightmare. I want to see what I can do to help.'
0:06:34 > 0:06:39It's awful what's happened. I can't imagine...to know what's going through your mind right now.
0:06:39 > 0:06:41I mean, jewellery can be replaced,
0:06:41 > 0:06:44but your security and how you feel about your home...
0:06:46 > 0:06:49That security feeling - that takes a while to come back again.
0:06:49 > 0:06:52I want to know if there's anything we can do to help you
0:06:52 > 0:06:54and make this place more secure.
0:06:54 > 0:06:56You do seem to have a lot going for this property
0:06:56 > 0:06:59to make it quite secure, however they've still got in.
0:06:59 > 0:07:02There wasn't a burglar alarm present.
0:07:02 > 0:07:05In your cul de sac, there are an awful lot of burglar alarms.
0:07:05 > 0:07:09- Yeah.- And from my time in the police I do know that it's very often
0:07:09 > 0:07:13an opportunist crime, and they tend to look for the easy target.
0:07:13 > 0:07:15Now, if I was walking down the cul de sac
0:07:15 > 0:07:18and I saw that there's burglar alarms on every house except one,
0:07:18 > 0:07:22obviously I'm probably going to target the one that doesn't have one.
0:07:22 > 0:07:25- So that's something I think we can do. I know you've got a cat here - Spike.- Sorry!
0:07:25 > 0:07:28And, er, some people are put off if they've got a pet,
0:07:28 > 0:07:31but there are certain alarms that you can get -
0:07:31 > 0:07:35not very expensive - that do allow for pets and won't be activated by a pet.
0:07:35 > 0:07:38How does that sound so far? This is your home, at the end of the day.
0:07:38 > 0:07:42I thought I was secure, and I have been secure for ten years.
0:07:42 > 0:07:45All of a sudden now they're... a bit more sophisticated, maybe,
0:07:45 > 0:07:47and they're... It's not secure.
0:07:47 > 0:07:51A burglar alarm is a thing to... To look at now.
0:07:51 > 0:07:53If there's anything we can do, we certainly will do.
0:07:55 > 0:07:59'For Heidi, it's not only the jewellery that's gone.'
0:07:59 > 0:08:01They've stolen my security.
0:08:01 > 0:08:04You know, they've made me feel insecure in my own home
0:08:04 > 0:08:06and I don't think I deserve that as a person.
0:08:06 > 0:08:09I'm never going to feel safe at night now.
0:08:09 > 0:08:12Every time I hear a bump or a crack or a...
0:08:12 > 0:08:16I'm going to be thinking, "Oh, my God, it's someone breaking in again downstairs."
0:08:16 > 0:08:18'Even though the patio doors have been forced,
0:08:18 > 0:08:20'the police have checked them out
0:08:20 > 0:08:23'and they can be secured for the night.'
0:08:23 > 0:08:25I really want to be able to help Heidi out
0:08:25 > 0:08:28because she has been through so much these last few months,
0:08:28 > 0:08:31but her house is actually quite secure.
0:08:31 > 0:08:34I'm really going to have to make some phone calls fast,
0:08:34 > 0:08:36because this job is going to be a challenge.
0:08:40 > 0:08:43'I've returned to the police station. There's work to be done.'
0:08:47 > 0:08:48Hi, Steve, it's Rav.
0:08:48 > 0:08:50'Hiya, Rav.'
0:08:50 > 0:08:51Steve, we need your help.
0:08:51 > 0:08:54We've got a lady that was burgled
0:08:54 > 0:08:58and, er, she's got no burglar-alarm system whatsoever.
0:08:58 > 0:09:00Be mindful she's got a cat, as well,
0:09:00 > 0:09:02so she's a bit worried about her cat setting off any alarms.
0:09:02 > 0:09:04Is that something you can work around?
0:09:04 > 0:09:06'Yeah, yeah. Yeah, that's no problem.'
0:09:06 > 0:09:08OK. What I'll do, I'll send you over the details of the property
0:09:08 > 0:09:12and I'll meet you there, but that sounds great. Thanks for your help.
0:09:12 > 0:09:15- 'OK, thank you.'- Cheers, then. Bye-bye.- 'See you. Cheers. Bye.'
0:09:26 > 0:09:31'It's early morning in Leeds and I'm paying a return visit to Heidi.'
0:09:31 > 0:09:34So, Heidi, last time I saw you you'd literally just got burgled,
0:09:34 > 0:09:37and you've had a night to sleep on it, and how are you feeling today?
0:09:37 > 0:09:38A bit shocked, actually.
0:09:38 > 0:09:41A bit sort of gutted about the whole thing. And...
0:09:41 > 0:09:43you just have to accept it, don't you, and move on?
0:09:43 > 0:09:47I mean, there's a lot of really personal stuff that's gone
0:09:47 > 0:09:49that I'll never, ever replace.
0:09:49 > 0:09:51You know, at least my house is intact.
0:09:51 > 0:09:55You know, they didn't destroy my house, they didn't damage my house.
0:09:55 > 0:09:59'Heidi's insurance will be covering the cost of replacing the patio doors,
0:09:59 > 0:10:04'but she does need an alarm - and that's definitely something I can help with.
0:10:06 > 0:10:08'I've enrolled the help of Steve,
0:10:08 > 0:10:11'a local tradesman who answered my call after Heidi's burglary.'
0:10:11 > 0:10:12Thanks for coming.
0:10:14 > 0:10:16If you have a look round all the other houses,
0:10:16 > 0:10:21every one seems to have a burglar-alarm box, except this one.
0:10:21 > 0:10:24And I think that must be one of the reasons why this place was targeted.
0:10:24 > 0:10:29I think it needs a nice new system put in that really sends out,
0:10:29 > 0:10:33literally, the alarm signals to anyone that fancies a go at this place, to know it is secure.
0:10:33 > 0:10:36Now, obviously a lot of people are put off with alarms
0:10:36 > 0:10:38because they go in, it starts making a noise,
0:10:38 > 0:10:42they've got to go and put the code into the keypad. And even though it's not a great deal to do,
0:10:42 > 0:10:46it does put some people off. Is there anything you can do there to help out?
0:10:46 > 0:10:49Yes. We can have a remote-control fob,
0:10:49 > 0:10:54which she can have on her handbag or on her person,
0:10:54 > 0:10:57and just press the fob and that will switch the system off remotely.
0:10:57 > 0:10:59It sounds pretty good to me, Steve.
0:10:59 > 0:11:02'Households with less than basic security measures
0:11:02 > 0:11:07'are six times more likely to be burgled than homes that have protection, like an alarm.'
0:11:10 > 0:11:12You can just see the small marks there.
0:11:12 > 0:11:17I mean, it was literally brute force that they've used to somehow lever that door open.
0:11:17 > 0:11:19So I'm thinking if you can put some contact points on there,
0:11:19 > 0:11:24that would make a big audible alarm the minute that's opened... That's something you think you can do?
0:11:24 > 0:11:28Yeah, yeah. Perfect. The door contacts can go onto the door
0:11:28 > 0:11:31and if somebody forces it open, it would...
0:11:31 > 0:11:35Instant alarm, all the instant bells - internal and external. That's fine.
0:11:37 > 0:11:41'Figures suggest that only 12% of homes that have been burgled
0:11:41 > 0:11:44'have gone on to update their home security.
0:11:44 > 0:11:46'And if you've been burgled once,
0:11:46 > 0:11:48'there's a higher chance of it happening again.
0:11:55 > 0:12:01'Homeowners like Heidi face the distress of losing their precious belongings every day.'
0:12:01 > 0:12:04Right, ladies and gents, we'll make a start on the briefing.
0:12:04 > 0:12:07The second phase of Operation Annette.
0:12:07 > 0:12:10'While I've been in West Yorkshire, I've been shadowing the police
0:12:10 > 0:12:13'as they wage a war against the burglars.
0:12:13 > 0:12:15'I'm sitting in on a briefing.
0:12:15 > 0:12:18'The police force are about to raid a number of properties in Leeds
0:12:18 > 0:12:22'that are believed to be dealing in stolen goods.
0:12:22 > 0:12:24'It's common for the police to discover
0:12:24 > 0:12:27'the proceeds of several burglaries during these raids.'
0:12:34 > 0:12:39So the officers are just about to go in and execute a warrant in a takeaway where they believe
0:12:39 > 0:12:43there's a number of stolen items as the proceeds from burglary.
0:12:43 > 0:12:45And they're going in as we speak.
0:12:45 > 0:12:47Police. Police.
0:12:47 > 0:12:50Whoa, whoa, whoa! Whoa, whoa, whoa. Just stand clear.
0:12:50 > 0:12:54Can we get them to turn everything off and then we'll take them downstairs and...
0:12:55 > 0:12:59We've got one of the workers from the inside here, who's saying this is just a cellar.
0:12:59 > 0:13:03He's happy to show the officers round so that's what they're doing at the moment -
0:13:03 > 0:13:06he's just showing them what's down here. So that's the fast bit.
0:13:06 > 0:13:09Now it's the slow-time bit, doing the search.
0:13:09 > 0:13:12Which, with a place as stacked up as this - and this is just one room of very many -
0:13:12 > 0:13:16- it's like looking for a needle in a haystack.- Yeah, this is the dull bit.- Yeah.
0:13:16 > 0:13:17Yeah. So we'll get cracking, eh?
0:13:19 > 0:13:22'The suspects in the takeaway have been searched and questioned,
0:13:22 > 0:13:24'but nothing's been found.
0:13:24 > 0:13:27'The police are now checking another part of the building.'
0:13:27 > 0:13:31- You've done the main building? - We have, yes. That's right. - You've contained everyone inside.
0:13:31 > 0:13:34- Yes.- You're happy there's no more people there.- That's correct.
0:13:34 > 0:13:37- And there's nothing obvious at the moment?- No. They're carrying on a search.
0:13:37 > 0:13:40With jewellery and small items, it's a bit more of a detailed search.
0:13:40 > 0:13:44- Absolutely. There is another door... - There is.- ..behind me here, part of the same building,
0:13:44 > 0:13:47- but tell me about that.- We've heard noises upstairs in the flat -
0:13:47 > 0:13:49it's clear there's somebody in there.
0:13:49 > 0:13:52We've tried to knock on the door - they're refusing us entry.
0:13:52 > 0:13:53So the officers are just getting ready now
0:13:53 > 0:13:56to force entry to that door so that we can gain entry,
0:13:56 > 0:13:59and secure the premises inside there, and also search up there now.
0:14:08 > 0:14:11'The police are going after more suspects and stolen goods.'
0:14:14 > 0:14:17It looks like it could possibly be student accommodation
0:14:17 > 0:14:19or a number of bedsits.
0:14:19 > 0:14:22There seems like three or four flats or bedsits there.
0:14:22 > 0:14:24There's another one at the top there.
0:14:26 > 0:14:29Chris has just been talking to a female.
0:14:29 > 0:14:33It sounds like she thinks there might be other people actually in these rooms.
0:14:36 > 0:14:39'While the police are acting on good intelligence,
0:14:39 > 0:14:43'there's no sign of any stolen property as yet.'
0:14:43 > 0:14:47We've spoken to the lady - obviously, limited English. Officers are now on with Language Line
0:14:47 > 0:14:50to try and assist with the communication barrier.
0:14:50 > 0:14:53From what we can establish, there's various people,
0:14:53 > 0:14:54various ages, in there.
0:14:54 > 0:14:56We're trying to ascertain where they're from,
0:14:56 > 0:15:01whether they're legally in the country, given the way they reacted to the police attending here.
0:15:01 > 0:15:04Those enquiries are now ongoing with officers inside the building,
0:15:04 > 0:15:09with immigration at the airport, to ascertain... See if we can find out who they are.
0:15:09 > 0:15:11- Brilliant. So, quite a bit of work for you guys to do.- It is.
0:15:11 > 0:15:14We're still carrying on down here and the search will continue
0:15:14 > 0:15:18for the original reason why we're here, with the laptops and the jewellery.
0:15:18 > 0:15:21Now, your team did two warrants this evening at the same time, this being one.
0:15:21 > 0:15:22Tell me how the other one went.
0:15:22 > 0:15:25The other one - we've arrested two males at the other takeaway,
0:15:25 > 0:15:27in relation to handling stolen goods.
0:15:27 > 0:15:30As we speak, there's further officers from that team
0:15:30 > 0:15:34who are going on to their home addresses, to conduct the searches there.
0:15:34 > 0:15:36We've recovered a number of items at the other takeaway,
0:15:36 > 0:15:41so we're just waiting for those identifying now, really. And again, that's ongoing, as well.
0:15:41 > 0:15:43'It's a cold night in Leeds
0:15:43 > 0:15:48'and CID officers John Brayshaw and Chantelle Markham, from the Priority Crime Team,
0:15:48 > 0:15:50'are paying Heidi a visit.
0:15:50 > 0:15:53'They'll be seeing what they can do to help recover her jewellery.'
0:15:53 > 0:15:57What we're wanting to do is go round the shops as soon as possible
0:15:57 > 0:15:59and look out for some of your jewellery.
0:15:59 > 0:16:02Most of t'shop owners are quite pro-police, to be fair,
0:16:02 > 0:16:04and they do, you know, tell us if someone's been in,
0:16:04 > 0:16:07and often they report it if they think it's suspicious.
0:16:07 > 0:16:09Did you manage to get any photographs or...?
0:16:09 > 0:16:11- Well, I've done a list.- Yeah.
0:16:11 > 0:16:14And this is the thing I did for you.
0:16:14 > 0:16:17These are my diamond earrings here, that's the...
0:16:17 > 0:16:21And these rings here, they're the things that were on the back of each of these cards,
0:16:21 > 0:16:25saying what the stones are, how much they weigh and the weight of gold.
0:16:27 > 0:16:33For now, I mean we'll take them because if somebody's brought in, sort of, three rings that match
0:16:33 > 0:16:37three of the ones on there, then the chances are that it's going to be...
0:16:37 > 0:16:40- You know, if there's just one that's like it...- If anything, it'll be my bracelets
0:16:40 > 0:16:43because they're Victorian gate bracelets.
0:16:43 > 0:16:46All right. No worries. Thanks. See you later. Bye.
0:16:59 > 0:17:02In the neighbourhood around Heidi's home, the police are making
0:17:02 > 0:17:05house-to-house calls in a bid to maintain a strong presence.
0:17:07 > 0:17:10It may be that someone comes forward with information.
0:17:10 > 0:17:12And a few miles away at the station,
0:17:12 > 0:17:16there's an update from CID officer Chantelle Markham.
0:17:17 > 0:17:19We've been round as many of the local jewellery stores
0:17:19 > 0:17:22as possible to see if anybody's taken any of it in.
0:17:22 > 0:17:24It is quite distinctive stuff.
0:17:24 > 0:17:27At the moment we haven't had any results on that
0:17:27 > 0:17:30but we're also in the process of doing a press release
0:17:30 > 0:17:34to see if anybody has come into contact with any of the jewellery that was stolen.
0:17:42 > 0:17:45Hard-working Heidi has had a torrid few months.
0:17:45 > 0:17:48She's enduring chemotherapy treatment after battling cancer,
0:17:48 > 0:17:53and being burgled has left her feeling vulnerable at home.
0:17:53 > 0:17:55It's time to make her feel safe and secure again -
0:17:55 > 0:17:59and Steve and colleague Richard have started to fit the new alarm system.
0:18:13 > 0:18:16With alarm contacts being fitted to the doors
0:18:16 > 0:18:18and sensors being fitted to the interior,
0:18:18 > 0:18:21this house will soon become a lot safer.
0:18:23 > 0:18:28Steve, box looks great - totally changed the appearance of the front of this house straightaway.
0:18:28 > 0:18:30Tell me what you've done inside.
0:18:30 > 0:18:35Well, Richard's been connecting the sensors and the control panel.
0:18:35 > 0:18:39He's just finished connecting the final door contact.
0:18:39 > 0:18:44And if that alarm is activated, I can see the blue on the outside - is that going to light up as well?
0:18:44 > 0:18:48- Yeah. There's a strobe what lights up.- Sounds great. Thank you, Steve.
0:18:48 > 0:18:50- Thank you very much for your help. - It's OK.
0:18:52 > 0:18:55It's late afternoon and I've come to see Roger Lomas,
0:18:55 > 0:18:59who works for the Co-ordinating and Tasking Office - or CATO for short.
0:18:59 > 0:19:04They're the police units responsible for gathering intelligence about Heidi's burglars.
0:19:04 > 0:19:07In terms of the burglary that occurred, the MO -
0:19:07 > 0:19:10i.e. in terms of MO, the method of how the suspects
0:19:10 > 0:19:14have actually gained entry and the property they've stolen -
0:19:14 > 0:19:18is very similar to two previous burglaries
0:19:18 > 0:19:22and there is a match on two potential suspects for the burglary.
0:19:22 > 0:19:26The next stage will be for the Proactive Crime Team
0:19:26 > 0:19:30to consider the intelligence that's been put forward to them,
0:19:30 > 0:19:33with the two names, look at the previous offending background,
0:19:33 > 0:19:38look to see what markers are on and then they will consider an arrest.
0:19:38 > 0:19:41So officers are out there, they act on the information
0:19:41 > 0:19:43as soon as it's received,
0:19:43 > 0:19:47and there's a much higher potential that any stolen property will still be at the address.
0:19:47 > 0:19:52The police are hoping to catch Heidi's burglars by using a mixture of intelligence
0:19:52 > 0:19:56and also disrupting the lifestyle of known offenders.
0:19:59 > 0:20:02In a bid to drive down the crime level in West Yorkshire,
0:20:02 > 0:20:07the police are doing all they can to get the criminals off the streets.
0:20:07 > 0:20:11Officers are tracking down known offenders who have broken their bail conditions
0:20:11 > 0:20:14after being released early from prison.
0:20:14 > 0:20:18Essentially, what we're trying to do is make enquiries
0:20:18 > 0:20:21in respect of the information that we've had.
0:20:21 > 0:20:23So we're just awaiting that at the moment
0:20:23 > 0:20:27but we've got, in the meantime, some information about another address.
0:20:27 > 0:20:31So that's obviously somewhere that we're going to be making a call.
0:20:31 > 0:20:34Police check all known addresses for the offenders -
0:20:34 > 0:20:37and if at first they don't succeed...
0:20:37 > 0:20:42The two addresses that we've been to there - the first address was negative.
0:20:42 > 0:20:45His brother had said that he'd just gone out.
0:20:45 > 0:20:47We attended at a second address which is
0:20:47 > 0:20:48one of his associates' addresses.
0:20:48 > 0:20:51We did find him there. He did give false details to the police.
0:20:51 > 0:20:54It wasn't until myself and my colleague walked in there
0:20:54 > 0:20:57that obviously we knew clearly who it was and he was arrested.
0:20:57 > 0:21:01The man, who attended the police station, was released without charge.
0:21:07 > 0:21:10So far there's no joy finding Heidi's burglars.
0:21:10 > 0:21:12However, on the night of the break-in,
0:21:12 > 0:21:16the Scenes of Crime officer did find fingerprints and a footprint in the garden.
0:21:19 > 0:21:24And this forensic analysis often plays a crucial role in police investigations.
0:21:26 > 0:21:29The Scenes of Crime officers are always quickly on hand
0:21:29 > 0:21:32to gather evidence before it's disturbed.
0:21:32 > 0:21:36Fundamentally what they are actually doing is trying to put themselves
0:21:36 > 0:21:39in the mind of the burglar. And when they're looking at the scene,
0:21:39 > 0:21:43thinking whereabouts that offender will have been,
0:21:43 > 0:21:45what they will have touched
0:21:45 > 0:21:49and where they may have left evidence for us, hopefully, to recover.
0:21:50 > 0:21:54They will be looking for evidence which could be visible or,
0:21:54 > 0:21:58on the other hand, may be invisible to the naked eye.
0:21:58 > 0:22:00Potentially looking for fingerprints,
0:22:00 > 0:22:03looking for footwear marks, looking for DNA.
0:22:04 > 0:22:08In Heidi's case, the fingerprints found on the patio doors
0:22:08 > 0:22:11offer a unique clue to the identity of the burglar.
0:22:11 > 0:22:15Incredibly, every single fingerprint is one of a kind.
0:22:16 > 0:22:21Scenes of Crime officer Sally Smith shows us how the evidence is collected.
0:22:23 > 0:22:26So I just apply this fine powder lightly,
0:22:26 > 0:22:30so that you can see the fingerprints and now you can see those being developed.
0:22:31 > 0:22:34OK. So I'm just going to peel off the fingerprints now.
0:22:39 > 0:22:41But it's not only fingerprints
0:22:41 > 0:22:44that can be used to identify the burglars.
0:22:44 > 0:22:47Police are increasingly using other forensic evidence
0:22:47 > 0:22:51and at Heidi's, they also found a clear footprint in the garden.
0:22:52 > 0:22:56Of course the offender may not leave their fingerprints behind,
0:22:56 > 0:22:59but they have to walk around the house that they've burgled.
0:22:59 > 0:23:02Therefore we would use all the tools available to us
0:23:02 > 0:23:07to find that footwear mark left by the offender at the scene.
0:23:07 > 0:23:10The distinctive imprints left by different designs of footwear
0:23:10 > 0:23:13are recorded on a vast police database.
0:23:14 > 0:23:19A footwear mark would enable us to find out the brand or type of shoe.
0:23:19 > 0:23:22We could then use that to try and link that to other burglaries
0:23:22 > 0:23:25which might have happened nearby or within the same area.
0:23:25 > 0:23:29And that quite often happens, where you'll get a series of burglaries
0:23:29 > 0:23:32where they've got the same or similar footwear marks,
0:23:32 > 0:23:35and then you could possibly attribute that to the same person.
0:23:36 > 0:23:39Once the evidence is collected from the crime scene, it is
0:23:39 > 0:23:41processed back at the station.
0:23:41 > 0:23:44Here it's added to a detailed database
0:23:44 > 0:23:48so it can be cross-referenced with millions of suspects nationwide.
0:23:51 > 0:23:54That'll go across to our Identification Bureau.
0:23:54 > 0:23:57They'll have a look at the fingerprint to see
0:23:57 > 0:23:59if it belongs to anyone who's on our database.
0:23:59 > 0:24:02If there's someone already in custody for this offence,
0:24:02 > 0:24:05then they'd be able to look at the fingerprints straightaway,
0:24:05 > 0:24:09so they can look at the fingerprints immediately.
0:24:09 > 0:24:11Forensic evidence like that found at Heidi's home
0:24:11 > 0:24:15continues to play a key role in modern police work.
0:24:15 > 0:24:20In West Yorkshire, we aim to attend 100% of all burglary crimes.
0:24:20 > 0:24:22That message is quite simple -
0:24:22 > 0:24:24that if you are a victim of a burglary
0:24:24 > 0:24:26in the West Yorkshire Police area,
0:24:26 > 0:24:29you will be visited by one of the Scenes of Crime officers.
0:24:35 > 0:24:38Even though Heidi thought her house was safe,
0:24:38 > 0:24:43burglars still managed to get past the security that was in place to steal her jewellery.
0:24:43 > 0:24:47These were precious items that can never be replaced.
0:24:50 > 0:24:54It's been a traumatic few months and I really wanted to help.
0:24:57 > 0:25:01I hope that the alarm system restores Heidi's safe haven,
0:25:01 > 0:25:03as she looks towards a brighter future.
0:25:12 > 0:25:14And as the security work is coming to an end,
0:25:14 > 0:25:17I'm back to see how she feels now.
0:25:17 > 0:25:22The alarm box is all out at the front and I've had a look and I'm really impressed, actually.
0:25:22 > 0:25:26- I think it makes a big difference. Do you want to take a look?- Yes, please.- Let's have a look.- Thanks.
0:25:26 > 0:25:29So, Heidi, here we are at the front of your house.
0:25:29 > 0:25:32You've got your brand-new alarm box there.
0:25:32 > 0:25:35Now this is up and running, it's really going to make a difference.
0:25:35 > 0:25:37You can set the alarm off yourself.
0:25:37 > 0:25:39If you did feel panicked in there, you can press a button
0:25:39 > 0:25:43- and the alarms will all sound.- Yep. - That blue light up there's going to flash.
0:25:43 > 0:25:46It's going to scare anyone off, it's going to alert your neighbours.
0:25:46 > 0:25:50- It's a good thing - you've got a tight-knit community, haven't you? - We have, yeah.
0:25:50 > 0:25:53- And you can...- If an alarm was going to go off, we'd all come out and have a look.
0:25:53 > 0:25:56- Yeah, course we would. Yeah. - Which is really nice.
0:25:56 > 0:25:59So, hopefully, that's just a small thing that we can do for you
0:25:59 > 0:26:02to make you feel a little bit better after the horrible thing that happened to you.
0:26:07 > 0:26:11I'd like to say to those people that come to people's houses and steal,
0:26:11 > 0:26:14you steal more than contents.
0:26:14 > 0:26:18You steal people's memories, you steal people's security.
0:26:18 > 0:26:23I just hope it was worth it for them, quite frankly.
0:26:23 > 0:26:26You know, cos I really, really, at this stage in my life,
0:26:26 > 0:26:28could have done without all of this.
0:26:28 > 0:26:31But I have to say, thank you very much to the alarm people -
0:26:31 > 0:26:34both Steve and Richard. They've been fantastic today.
0:26:34 > 0:26:39- Good.- And it's really, really kind and I'd like to say thank you very much to you, for all your help.
0:26:39 > 0:26:42You know, it's been a process and I don't think it would have been
0:26:42 > 0:26:45as easily done if it hadn't been for you
0:26:45 > 0:26:46Well, it's been an absolute pleasure.
0:26:46 > 0:26:49Obviously, I wish we hadn't met in these circumstances.
0:26:49 > 0:26:53- Yes.- But if it makes it that much better for you, then, obviously,
0:26:53 > 0:26:57that's a success because it's one of the worst things that can happen to anyone, being burgled.
0:26:57 > 0:27:01I know that from my time in the police. I dealt with hundreds of burglaries and it's never easy
0:27:01 > 0:27:03and I really, really feel for you.
0:27:05 > 0:27:10I'm more reassured now that, obviously, if anyone was to break in, the alarm's going to go off.
0:27:10 > 0:27:12And I'm really pleased, I feel a lot happier.
0:27:12 > 0:27:15I'll sleep better, I think, tonight and I'll stay asleep, I think.
0:27:15 > 0:27:18It's changed how I value my home.
0:27:18 > 0:27:22I've decided now I'm not going to be a victim, you know.
0:27:22 > 0:27:25I don't want to live in Fort Knox,
0:27:25 > 0:27:28but now I live in a house that is as secure as I can make it.
0:27:29 > 0:27:31Despite the efforts of the police,
0:27:31 > 0:27:35Heidi's jewellery has not yet been found.
0:27:35 > 0:27:38The two possible suspects identified were not arrested,
0:27:38 > 0:27:41as they were later eliminated from police enquires.
0:27:41 > 0:27:43And though the crime remains unsolved,
0:27:43 > 0:27:46it is still being investigated.
0:27:46 > 0:27:48I'm really pleased we've been able to assist Heidi,
0:27:48 > 0:27:52especially after she's had such a hard few months.
0:27:52 > 0:27:54And the installation of that burglar alarm
0:27:54 > 0:27:59has clearly made such a difference to her home security.
0:28:24 > 0:28:27Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd