HOME secretary Jack Straw today launched a £50 million crackdown on house burglars who wreck thousands of lives every year.

Plans include the loaning of alarms to the vulnerable and using mobile closed circuit TV systems in the most at risk areas.

The Blackburn MP has acted after the number of North West homes broken into more than doubled in less than a decade.

In Lancashire over the nine years between 1979 and 1997 the number of domestic burglaries rocketed by 9,202 from 5,476 to 14,678 - a massive 168 per cent rise.

Mr Straw said the new drive would see £50 million spent over three years targeting two million homes in 500 of the highest risk areas of England and Wales. The first projects will begin in April next year.

Most of the money will be spent on alarm loan schemes and rapid repair services to prevent repeat victimisation, and mobile CCTV schemes to be sent to burglary "hot spots" so criminals can never be sure whether they will be trapped on film.

Cash will also go on enhanced neighbourhood watch schemes, better street lighting and improved computer systems to help police target and detect criminals.

Special "Beat the Burglars" security advice packs will be mailed to all residents in high crime areas.

The aim is to cut the number of burglaries in the worst affected areas by 30 per cent.

Mr Straw sad: "We will be spending an extra £50 million over the next three years targeting two million home across the country to beat the burglar.

"It is the biggest coordinated initiative on burglary for many years. Having one's home broken into is a sickening and traumatic experience.

"For many the sense of violation and fear never fades. We must make a serious reduction in this serious crime - and bring more burglars to book."

In 1997 there were one million burglaries reported - more than half affecting people's homes. It represents one fifth of all recorded crime in England and Wales and is the highest burglary rate in the 11 major industrialised countries.

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