![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Feb. 25th, 2009
From yesterday's Cambridge News... there is a video via the link below.
Criminals use guided bus as secret escape route
CRIMINALS are using the guided busway as a secret escape route, police fear.
Officers suspect burglars are targeting homes then escaping along the Histon and Impington route, which leads into the city.
The villages experienced a rise in burglary last week and police investigating the crimes discovered stolen property hidden on the busway, which is under construction.
Sergeant Paul Rogerson said: "Stolen property was found very recently from a burglary along the guided bus route suggesting that criminals may be using it as an unmonitored escape route."
Officers mounted covert surveillance along the route to catch the criminals. Inspector Chris Savage said additional patrols were being carried out to deter would-be burglars.
Bob Menzies, Cambridgeshire County Council's head of delivery for the guided bus, said it was difficult to stop a determined thief from using the busway as an escape route.
"But when the busway opens we will have car traps and bollards on the maintenance paths to prevent anyone getting on the busway as well as CCTV, which will capture on film anyone who trespasses on the route.
"We are doing what we can to deter people from getting on the busway route."
A police spokeswoman said Sgt Rogerson and Pc Steven Gilbey had been carrying out surveillance, patrols and stop checks and officers would continue to monitor the area.
Burglary is a top priority after a steep rise in the crime. Last month, there were 220 house burglaries in the city and nearby villages - a 23 per cent increase.
Insp Savage said: "We have additional patrols in the Cherry Hinton, Fulbourn and Histon and Impington areas to help deter would-be burglars and there have been a large number of arrests since the beginning of the year in connection with burglaries."
The guided bus route has also been targeted by vandals who stole a truck and digger and went on the rampage.
In one attack in Park Lane, Histon, in November a dumper truck was used to destroy traffic lights and bollards and then dumped.
The busway is due to open later this year.
Criminals use guided bus as secret escape route
CRIMINALS are using the guided busway as a secret escape route, police fear.
Officers suspect burglars are targeting homes then escaping along the Histon and Impington route, which leads into the city.
The villages experienced a rise in burglary last week and police investigating the crimes discovered stolen property hidden on the busway, which is under construction.
Sergeant Paul Rogerson said: "Stolen property was found very recently from a burglary along the guided bus route suggesting that criminals may be using it as an unmonitored escape route."
Officers mounted covert surveillance along the route to catch the criminals. Inspector Chris Savage said additional patrols were being carried out to deter would-be burglars.
Bob Menzies, Cambridgeshire County Council's head of delivery for the guided bus, said it was difficult to stop a determined thief from using the busway as an escape route.
He said: "The route was a well-trodden path when it was a railway line and it is virtually impossible to stop people getting on to it. We do have barriers up to prevent trespassers and regular security patrols.
"But when the busway opens we will have car traps and bollards on the maintenance paths to prevent anyone getting on the busway as well as CCTV, which will capture on film anyone who trespasses on the route.
"We are doing what we can to deter people from getting on the busway route."
A police spokeswoman said Sgt Rogerson and Pc Steven Gilbey had been carrying out surveillance, patrols and stop checks and officers would continue to monitor the area.
Burglary is a top priority after a steep rise in the crime. Last month, there were 220 house burglaries in the city and nearby villages - a 23 per cent increase.
Insp Savage said: "We have additional patrols in the Cherry Hinton, Fulbourn and Histon and Impington areas to help deter would-be burglars and there have been a large number of arrests since the beginning of the year in connection with burglaries."
The guided bus route has also been targeted by vandals who stole a truck and digger and went on the rampage.
In one attack in Park Lane, Histon, in November a dumper truck was used to destroy traffic lights and bollards and then dumped.
The busway is due to open later this year.
