THERE has been an increase in house burglaries right across the north of Bolton, including eight this month in Astley Bridge.

This was predicted as we always see rises in this crime type at this time of year for the following reasons: Firstly, offenders are stocking up on funds on the run in to the festive season and secondly, the darker nights provide them with an easier opportunity to enter houses without being seen.

Seasonal analysis provides us with the relevant data showing the spikes in burglary dwellings in October and November and each year we send messages through various media.

We warn people about this and provide advice about keeping their doors and windows secure, using timer switches to make it look like someone is at home and also reporting any suspicious circumstances.

There have been increases all over Bolton North area but the main areas that the North team have been addressing recently are Astley Bridge and Sharples.

Since November 1 there have been eight burglaries of dwellings in the Astley Bridge ward.

All of these were committed in late afternoon and six out of the eight were insecurities.

Doors of houses were left unlocked allowing the offender easy access.

This is really frustrating, because we continuously send messages out advising people to lock their widows and doors.

We have also seen increases in burglaries in Smithills and Crompton, but now some good news.

Last week we arrested two teams of offenders responsible for, we believe, a good proportion of these offences.

The first of them were arrested on the border of Astley Bridge and Smithills and all of them have now been charged with burglary.

We have many other criminal targets that we visit numerous times daily in an effort to disrupt their activity.

Some of these offenders become targets because of their previous convictions, while others are targeted through intelligence that we generate from information we receive from various sources.

We do thrive on information provided by the communities, so I would encourage the public to contact the police if they are aware or suspect anybody of committing burglaries.

We can be contacted by using the number 101 or via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

There has much been spoken about recently in respect of levels of policing in general and it is true to say that I could find work for more staff if they were made available.

However, nothing done through the budget cuts has swayed the commitment of our staff in investigating crime, especially burglary which remains one of our top priorities.

Insp Wayne Readfern