Norfolk police unit hits 1,000 solved cases milestone

Since its inception in November 2022 Operation Converter has successfully secured a whopping 1,000 'taken into consideration' (TIC) offences, closing unsolved cases and reassuring victims that those responsible have been caught.

The Operation Convertor team visit the homes of those on bail and jails including HMP Norwich to see those on remand (Image: Newsquest)

The small unit headed by two ex-detectives swoops in when a suspect admits an offence but is suspected of being involved in other similar serious or serial crimes.

READ MORE: New police unit set up to encourage criminals to come clean

Duncan Etchells and Darren Reade then investigate the suspect in more detail with a view to linking them to other offences.

The scheme has been especially successful with those who have a motivation to change and want to ‘clear their slate’.

Robert-claudiu Alexe and Elena-brindusa Efta were part of a shoplifting gang that targeted Morrisons stores (Image: Norfolk Constabulary)

Prolific offenders like house burglars, robbers, and shoplifters are top targets, often with CCTV evidence to link them to offences.

Among the notable success stories has been a shoplifting gang responsible for an astonishing crime spree covering hundreds of miles and 47 branches of Morrisons who were caught in Norfolk.

Serial burglar Paul Gilbert, who left elderly people terrified by creeping into their homes while they slept, was jailed after admitting a further 14 break-ins to be taken into consideration.

Prolific thief Frankie Saich, who roamed Norwich streets stealing items worth £10,000 from insecure cars, engaged with the unit and admitted a further 32 offences.

David Smith was identified from CCTV footage and a bloodied tissue left at the scene of one of his crimes (Image: Norfolk Constabulary)

And David Smith, behind a three-month one-man crime, admitted a further 17 offences, including nine shop thefts and break-ins at commercial premises.

READ MORE: The Morrisons marauders gang raid 47 branches of supermarket

Staff supervisor Duncan Etchells, said: “The figures speak for themselves. In the 18 months we have been operating we have visited hundreds of suspects in prison and in their own homes putting the case for TIC’s as a way forward for them to admit to offences they then cannot be arrested for in the future.

“This has led to 1,000 crimes being detected spanning burglary dwelling, theft of and from motor vehicles, shoplifting, and robbery.

“In that time we have had positive contact with hundreds of victims and saved untold officer hours probing investigations.”