BURY'S crimebusters are taking on the town's criminals in phase two of Operation Dipper which started on Saturday.

Throughout this month, 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.

Markets managers have also been carrying out a safety survey and asking traders to adjust their stalls to allow a steady flow of shoppers around their units.

Sergeant Richard Pendlebury explained: "When people are huddled in one place around a stall it becomes an easy target for thieves who pretend to bump into shoppers whilst stealing their purses. The management team has acted very responsibly by conducting this survey to make the market a safer place."

Operation Dipper first started at Easter this year with a hugely successful CCTV launch in charity shops. According to police, this reduced the number of crimes committed.

The latest operation is backed by £7,500 from the Greater Manchester High Sheriff Police Trust which has been used to buy a range of crime-deterrent goods including bumbags and purse belts.

John Ayres, from the Bury Markets Management Team, said: "Every time the police increase their presence crime is reduced significantly. Ultimately we would like to install more CCTV cameras within the markets but right now we are working in partnership with police and traders by introducing new measures like the mobile phones and radio links directly to the police. We are aiming to be one of the safest towns in the region."