RESIDENTS on a crime hit housing estate are being urged to unite to beat the menace of burglars.

The Hall i'th' Wood Residents' Association has called on the public to fight back against the misery being caused by repeated break-ins on the estate.

One disillusioned family has suffered five break-ins at their house in the last year.

Now the residents' association is taking positive action to fight back.

Residents too afraid to contact the police with vital information are being urged to inform the association instead.

A spokesman said: "We know some people are frightened of being seen to talk to the police.

"But people do see things and do know what's going on. Surely it's time to say 'enough is enough' and fight back on behalf of the majority of good people who live on Hall i'th' Wood. Or people will mention things ages afterwards. They should come forward straight away."

"People can talk to us and we'll pass on important information to the police."

In one stark example of the misery being suffered on the estate a woman and her two teenage sons have been burgled five times in the last year.

More than £1,500 worth of goods including bikes, a Sony play station, TV, video, CD player and Dyson carpet cleaner have been stolen.

Unscrewed

Cheeky thieves have returned and carefully unscrewed boards placed over broken windows which were put there after the first time there was a break-in.

The woman, who does not want to be named, said: "They've taken everything that's worth taking. There's no point them coming back again.

"I work hard with two jobs to get decent things to try and keep my lads on the straight and narrow and then things like this happen. A lot of the gear I bought on credit and I'm still having to pay out even though I don't have the stuff anymore. It's sickening."

She added: "People have asked about insurance, but who would insure me without charging a ridiculous amount for it?

"I've been on this estate 14 years and many of them have been good.

"But this last year has been terrible and I feel like I've had enough. But if I did move I'd be giving in to these people."

The residents' association is urging people who see anything suspicious to call them on Bolton 596746.

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