Man arrested as laptops stolen from Clifton are recovered by tracking software

A 36-year-old man has been arrested on Saturday (September 15) after laptops stolen from Clifton were recovered using tracking software.

Police made the arrest after the victim of a burglary on Friday in Clifton, in which four laptops were stolen, activated tracking software that he had downloaded on to his laptops.

The software sent an update to the victim including a picture of a potential suspect, an IP address and a GPRS signal with a map indicating the approximate location of the laptop.

The victim gave this information to police who made checks on the location before seizing four laptops and arresting the man.

Police are urging people to download tracking software on to their computers and smart phones.

Chief Inspector Paul Mogg said: "Tackling burglary and serious acquisitive crime is a priority for Avon and Somerset Police and that's what this Operation Relentless drive is all about.

"We are determined to use all our powers and the tools available to us to relentlessly pursue burglars, put them before the courts and bring them to justice.

"We also want to help victims by reuniting them with their property. Often it is not just the cost of replacing laptops or phones that matters to people, but the irreplaceable things lost like contact numbers, work or photographs."

The man has been released on police bail pending further enquiries.