THE number of burglaries committed in the East Ward area of Bury has been reduced, police have revealed.

Over the last two months officers concentrated on burglary crime hot spots' in Bury East, Moorside and Redvales by visible patrol, targeting known offenders, and even rousing residents from their beds to advise them to close their open windows.

During June and July reports of domestic burglaries in those areas fell by 24 per cent, compared to April and May, resulting in 21 fewer victims of crime during the BurySafe' campaign in the area.

Bury's crime reduction advisor Gaynor Mason also arranged for 300 "hang on" door alarms to be distributed in the Wash Lane area to combat insecurity burglary. Superintendent Peter Scofield, deputy commander of Bury police, said: "Although we have seen a very good result from the recent operation in Bury East, we need to make it clear to residents throughout the borough that they should protect their property.

"Around 40 per cent of burglaries in Bury are committed in insecure houses, with open windows and unlocked doors. There is no room for complacency."