NEIGHBOURS are being urged to fight back against the rise in burglaries in Radcliffe by joining Home Watch.

Mr Keith Middleton, Home Watch Scheme administrator for Greater Manchester Police (GMP), said: "We are challenging crime by encouraging residents to sign up to Home Watch so that neighbours can protect their own property.

"Where every scheme is set up, crime is reduced, and more incidents are reported, along with anything that people think is suspicious or unusual. If they tell us we can do something about it. If people don't tell us, crime will stay the same or get worse."

To get involved, a resident needs to contact Mr Middleton to say they would like to set up a scheme in their area. A meeting is then arranged between him and the members, where he explains how the scheme works and what is required of them.

Mr Middleton said: "My job is to motivate the members so that they tell us of any incidents, big or small. The scheme gives neighbours protection to ask questions of visitors to houses, and any information they give to us is treated in confidence."

Mr Middleton added: "We will give them all the security advice they need. We also want to create better links between the police and the community. We give the public feedback on any incidents they have reported and what is being done by the police."

GMP can also send a recorded voice message to Home Watch areas to inform them of any incidents that have happened to raise awareness.

For more information about Home Watch, contact Mr Middleton on 856 8257 or 07766442314.

l Radcliffe Home Watch Association will be at Asda on Pilkington Way on Thursday, January 20 to run a property mark up scheme. Residents can take their mobile phones, televisions, DVD players etc to be marked up with special pens. The association will be there between 9.30am and 3.30pm.