COMMUNITY crime fighters have scored a first in Platt Bridge!

Anti-crime campaigners are taking their fight against the burglars out on to the road.

And they have won £25,000 from the government to appoint a community warden for 12 months, who will patrol the area in a specially purchased security van.

Believed to be the the first of its kind anywhere in the country, the patrol, which should be ready in early autumn, will be the 'eyes and ears' of the community.

With a direct line to the police for whenever problems arise, this pilot scheme follows detailed consultation with local people by council and police chiefs.

People from Platt Bridge have hailed the news as a massive boost for the area, which will assist their drive to reduce the number of burglaries locally.

Abram councillor Eunice Smethurst, who chairs the Platt Bridge community risk management group, said:

"I'm absolutely delighted. The community has worked long and hard to build an anti-crime partnership locally, and this will cement all our efforts.

"We are especially pleased because this proposal is the result of talking to local people about what they really want to improve the area, and they told us they wanted more security patrols in the area to alert police to problems."

The £25,000 is part of a national £250 million cash injection by the government over three years aimed at supporting local plans to reduce crime -- £50 million of which is specifically for anti-burglary initiatives.