CRIME busters are once again gearing up to take on Bury's pickpockets and shoplifters Over four weeks in September, the BurySafe town centre team will be increasing police activity to crack down on purse thefts from Bury's markets which attract huge crowds of shoppers every week.

Market traders have been asked to reorganise their stalls to allow a steady flow of shoppers around the units.

Sergeant Richard Pendlebury, of the town centre team, said: "When people are huddled in one place around a number of bargain items it becomes an easy target for thieves who pretend to bump into shoppers while stealing their purses.

"The market management team has acted very responsibly by conducting a survey to make the market a safer place."

Operation Dipper started at Easter with a successful CCTV launch in charity shops which led to a drop in crime.