Police say they are tackling 'issue of burglary' after arresting Crouch End pub burglar

John Delaney was sentenced after burgling ten pubs and shops in Islington

Metropolitan Police have said they are tackling “the issue of burglary” after making 100 arrests in 60 days, including a pub burglar with ties to Crouch End.

John Delaney, of no fixed address, burgled ten pubs and shops in Islington and has now been sentenced to two years and three months imprisonment.

Delaney was identified through DNA evidence and CCTV in the local areas of Crouch End and Archway.

Through street searches and mapping out his recent sightings, officers pieced together that he was due to pick up medication from a local pharmacy in North London.

Unmarked cars and plainclothes officers were deployed around the pharmacy before Delaney was brought into custody.

The arrests follow a ‘successful’ operation targeting burglaries in Bromley which is now being rolled out elsewhere.

Sergeant John Johnson, leading the local burglary team, said: “My team have listened to the concerns of our community and made it a priority to address the issue of burglary head on.

“Everyone in London has the right to feel safe, especially in their own homes. And I’m pleased that our use of innovative tactics has had such a positive impact in delivering for people across the city.”

Burglary lead for the Met, Detective Superintendent Amanda Mawhinney, said: “The Met has a renewed focus on tackling burglary as we work to rebuild trust and drive down crime in our communities.

“Our officers and staff are committed to providing support and advice to victims, as well as continuously reviewing crime reports to spot patterns of offending and sending officers to hotspot areas.”

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