The PSNI and An Gardaí Siochana joined forces over the weekend to try and tackle the recent spate of rural border burglaries that have taken place recently with the PSNI vowing that it “will continue to do all we can to catch and deter the criminals that brings misery and hardship to the citizens of Fermanagh”.

The Fermanagh and Omagh District Support team were involved in an operation on Saturday night, November 24, with a picture posted to the PSNI Fermanagh on Sunday afternoon showing an officer from the PSNI and An Gardaí Siochana in the border region.

As reported in last week’s Impartial Reporter thieves caused havoc in the county over a seven-day period with incidents robberies ranging from Kesh, to Kinawley to Enniskillen to Bellanaleck. Among some of the incidents including the theft of a church safe, breaking into homes, threatening a pensioner, stealing money and ransacking homes.

The PSNI, in a statement, have confirmed that they routinely work with An Gardaí Siochana

“PSNI officers routinely work with colleagues from An Gardaí Siochana as part of our ongoing efforts to protect people, prevent harm and detect criminal activity.

“With support from An Gardaí Siochana, statutory and voluntary agencies and the vigilance of the community, we will continue to do all we can to catch and deter the criminals that brings misery and hardship to the citizens of Fermanagh.

“We would ask anyone who witnesses any suspicious activity or suspicious vehicles in their area to contact police immediately on 101. If you have any information in relation to recent crime, please let us know, or alternatively contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 which is 100% anonymous and gives people the power to speak up and stop crime.”

The operation in Fermanagh was a province wide initiative with the police stating:

“Officers right across Lisburn and Castlereagh; Newry, Mourne and Down; Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon, Mid Ulster and Fermanagh and Omagh Districts , working in partnership with An Gardaí Siochana, conducted over 205 vehicle check points, seized 15 vehicles and made 14 arrests as part of the ongoing operation.”

Inspector Russell Vogan said:

“We have been running a number of targeted operations over the past number of weeks and will continue to do so in the run up to Christmas. Our overall aim is to keep people safe and bring more offenders before the courts. On a daily basis, police officers respond to calls for help from people who have been burgled, so we are very much aware of the effect these incidents can cause. We are committed to bringing those responsible before the courts.”