POLICE in Leyland are mounting a major crackdown on shed and garage burglaries which are on the increase in the town.

Operation Conserve will focus primarily on the Broadfield estate area, off Leyland Lane, and is aimed at detecting and preventing shed and garage burglaries.

And to coincide with the launch of the operation next month officers will be displaying a range of shed and garage security items on Saturday, June 4, on the Kwik Save car park in Towngate, Leyland, from 9am.

They are calling on people to visit the stall on the day where special police constables will be on hand to offer tips and advice on crime prevention devices and security firms will demonstrate their products.

And, in a bid to drive the message home, police plan to distribute free information leaflets in next week's Citizen newspaper telling people how to keep their sheds and garages secure.

The new initiative follows an year on year increase in garage and shed burglaries in Leyland.

Detective Constable Paddy Lavelle, of Leyland CID, is heading the operation. He said: "The main period for shed and garage burglaries is the summer months. This is due to the increased usage and purchase of garden equipment, coupled with the fact people go on holiday leaving garages and sheds unprotected."

DC Lavelle added: "The initial cost of the security devices available is minimal compared to the cost of replacing the stolen items from properties that are not adequately protected."

Anyone with information about the burglaries or who spots anything suspicious in a garden is asked to contact DC Lavelle on 209844 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 1111.