HALLIWELL and Crompton have been identified as burglary and car crime hotspots — with figures for Bolton overall also on the rise in the last couple of months.

Various means are used, the times of the burglaries are spread out and there is a large range of property being stolen.

The two wards are next to each and, in many respects, share the same demographics.

Therefore Insp Nicki Tompsett and I have met with our senior leadership team and suggested a plan to bring Bolton North and Bolton Central policing teams together for a period of three months.

Starting from tomorrow, a team known as Operation Spartan will patrol the main areas of concern and increase visits to our known criminals.

We are also drafting extra patrols onto this team, which emphasises our aims to reduce the volume of burglaries and car crime and to bring offenders to justice.

The officers will continue with the normal business of visiting community contacts, providing reassurance and finding out information about crime and disorder.

There will not be much change to our daily routine, save for some of the staff working nights.

But the real advantage will be the two teams briefing together and sharing experiences.

The team, a mix of police officers, PCSOs and support staff, will be led by Sgt John Seeds, who is relishing the task.

It is a fantastic opportunity for us to make Crompton and Halliwell safer places to live.

But as ever, we rely on the community to assist us with our work.

People should contact us with any information on 0161 8565761 for Bolton North, 0161 8565619 for Bolton Central or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Insp Wayne Readfern