CRIME has been wiped out on a Radcliffe housing estate following police action aimed at burglars who prey on the elderly.

During a three-week crackdown on distraction-type break-ins not one incident was reported. And even though the operation finished on February 3, the criminals have stayed away.

Local police chiefs are delighted by the success of the initiative, launched in the Coronation Road-Bolton Road Estate area as part of Greater Manchester Police's Operation Abington.

The area was targeted because it had the highest number of bogus caller crimes, distraction burglaries and handbag snatches in the borough.

Between June and December last year there were 49 bogus burglaries in and around the estate. And in December alone there were seven handbag snatches.

The police action involved the presence of uniformed officers in the area, backed up by plain-clothed patrols. As part of the operation, scores of pensioners' homes were visited and security arrangements checked.

Sergeant Steve Horton, of Radcliffe Township, said: "A major part of Operation Abington was to look at distraction-type break-ins involving pensioners. During the operation, there were no distraction-type break-ins whatsoever.

"We also carried out surveys relating to properties and ascertained if they met certain criteria. If so they became eligible for funding to enable improvements to be made."

He added: "A total of 18 houses occupied by the elderly were identified as having poor security measures and, together with Bury Council's techno team, we introduced security improvements."

Thanks to £10,000 worth of funding from the Community Safety Partnership, homes were fitted with door chains, wide-angle door viewers and electronic reminders installed in hallways to remind householders to chain their door before answering it.

Security was also highlighted by leaflet drops and Bury police's crime prevention trailer visited the areas.

During the operation, a man was arrested following a handbag snatch.

Operation Abington officers also tackled the problem of abandoned and untaxed cars. A total of 27 vehicles were clamped, with owners either paying their road tax or having their vehicle towed away. Three were removed.