AN elderly couple claim they have been living in "a burglars' paradise" since Bolton Council refused to repair a fallen brick wall.

John and May Ede, of Roosevelt Road, Kearsley, said there had been five attempted break-ins and a burglary along their street since the wall came down.

It was knocked down by the council as a health hazard last November, but has not been replaced because of cash shortages.

Sneak

Mr and Mrs Ede said it allows intruders to sneak into the back gardens of the row of bungalows and the situation strikes fear into elderly residents.

The pensioner couple have even taken it in turns to leave the house because they are too worried to leave it empty.

Youths have been spotted in the back garden and houses have also been vandalised.

Mrs Ede, aged 69, said: "There have been five attempted break-ins since November and we have had the police around umpteen times. They said the lack of a wall was a security risk.

"I have been ringing the council about it since, but when I rang last week they said it was not a health hazard and we would have to wait six months."

She added: "A few weeks ago we spotted a youth in our back garden in the middle of the night and the same night a neighbour had a window smashed.

"Someone tried to break in next door on Sunday."

Her son, Gordon, said: "There is a security fence at the back of the garden but what is the point when there is a big gap next to the gate?

"These people are vulnerable, but the council keep passing them off.

"Mum has angina and mobility problems and she really doesn't need this. Dad is 66 years old and suffers from vertigo.

"It is getting worse for crime around here. There are always big gangs of kids on the streets outside."

A council spokesman said anti-crime measures were among its priorities and the housing department had spent around £30,000 in Kearsley.

He added: "We are planning to replace the wall with fencing early next month -- weather permitting -- and then we'll get our maintenance staff to look at the situation.

"In a wider sense, we can examine the whole aspect of the bungalows and their security in consultation with tenants and the residents' association, and perhaps include some measures in a security bid if funds are available."

Supt Don Brown, head of Bolton police, said a burglary had been reported in Roosevelt Road and there were other crime problems in the area. ABOVE: Where's our wall? Mary Hayes, Dennis Mason, May Ede, Eunice O'Brien and Jack Ede fear burglarsRef: J415/20