POLICE officers in Radcliffe have launched a new scheme to tackle the number of burglaries in the town.

Operation Fraser started last week in response to recent domestic burglary figures, even though they were on the decline.

Inspector Steve Clark, from Radcliffe Police, said: "The number of domestic burglaries was down by 12 per cent on last year, but I was still not satisfied and was looking for an even bigger reduction than this.

"Figures and statistics can help to point us in the right direction, but the important thing to remember is that each and every one of the numbers that make up those statistics represents a person who has suffered at the hands of a burglar."

Between April and August this year, there had been 17 fewer families in Radcliffe who had suffered at the hands of burglars, compared to the corresponding period last year.

Insp Clarke said: "It is an acknowledged fact that if someone has their home burgled, the chances of them being burgled again within a relatively short period of time is heightened.

"If a burglar steals a TV from a house, he gets a second hand TV. But he knows that if he goes back in a month, he is likely to be able to steal a replacement TV that is almost new. We want to reduce the potential for that to happen."

Similar operations have taken place in Bury East and in Prestwich, and have been successful in driving down the number of burglaries. Operation Fraser is due to run for two months.

Using funds provided by Bury's Community Safety Partnership, specially trained Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) will be visiting the homes of people who have been burgled and offering practical crime prevention advice and guidance.

In addition, the PCSOs will also visit the homes of the immediate neighbours, as their needs may also be similar.

Insp Clark also warned that 'bogus official' burglaries were relatively prominent in the area, and the PCSOs would always be in uniform and carry identification.

He added: "Coupled with the fact that more burglars are being arrested than ever before, I am confident that we can improve on our reduction targets during the next few months."