BOLSOVER: Police send Christmas postcards to criminals

Police in bolsover and other areas of Derbyshire are sending Christmas cards to criminals warning them to stay away from crime.

Four hundred postcards are being delivered to the addresses of known offenders in the area, asking them to think about where they want to spend the festive period.

On the front of the postcard is a picture of a man sat in a cell wearing a party hat with his head in his hands, and the question “Where would you like to be for Christmas lunch?”

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Turnover the card, and it carries the message: “Derbyshire Constabulary want our local communities to have a safe and crime-free Christmas. We will be spoiling Christmas for criminals. Make sure you are not on our Christmas list.”

There is also a list of contact numbers for local drugs and alcohol services, domestic abuse and Crimestoppers.

They are being sent out as part of Operation Impact, a long-term campaign set up by police in Chesterfield, Bolsover, North East Derbyshire and the Amber Valley to help reduce acquisitive crime, including burglary, drug dealing and shoplifting.

Operation Impact was first started July and has seen more than 240 people arrested, 64 search warrants carried out and two people convicted for burglary and drug offences.

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The team estimate more than £15,000 of drugs and approximately £100,000 in counterfeit goods has been seized as part of the operation, and more than £30,000 has also been recovered in outstanding fines imposed by the courts.

Detective Chief Inspector Sean Dawson said: “Operation Impact is about helping to reduce the harm caused by crime within our communities, and during the festive period the there may be more temptation to steal especially as most people are buying gifts and high value items.

“We hope these cards will warn offenders who are known to the police about the choice between staying out of trouble or facing a Christmas behind bars.”

Anyone with information about crime should contact Derbyshire police on 101, the non emergency number, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.