RESIDENTS in the Higher Ainsworth Road area of Radcliffe are being warned to be on their guard against burglars.

Only weeks after we revealed details of a mini-crime wave in the Bradley Fold area, the problem appears to have spilled over into neighbouring Radcliffe.

According to police, although incidents of burglary are isolated and few in number, there is the possibility that thieves have been forced to seek new pickings due to a higher level of police patrols on the Bradley Fold estates.

On Tuesday (Feb 26) alone, two householders in Higher Ainsworth Road were burgled.

Thieves even removed a double-glazed window to enter one property.

Detective Sergeant Duncan Heywood of Bury's Operational Police Unit, said: "There is nothing to suggest that Higher Ainsworth Road is suffering a crime epidemic.

"However, it would do local residents no harm to make sure their homes are secure and, preferably, fitted with burglar alarms."

He added: "There has been a huge problem of burglaries in Bradley Fold and there is a chance the small number of burglaries in Radcliffe are due to an overspill from the neighbouring estate.

"Everything in our power is being done to protect these areas."