RESIDENTS are being reassured after 70 cars were broken into in a month.

Police have made a number of arrests in relation to the incidents which took place in Deane in September.

They say officers have searched houses and found some of the stolen items as a result of their operation into the spike in crime.

Cars were hit just off Wigan Road in streets including Gilnow Lane, Gibraltar Street, Ramwell Gardens, Dinsdale Drive, Willows Lane and High Street.

In many of the incidents windows were smashed before items were taken from inside the cars, including cash bags left on display in taxis.

Officers have moved to reassure residents that they are cracking down on those responsible and also urging people not to leave items on show in their vehicles and to leave their cars parked under street lights.

DS Paul Catterall, from GMP’s Bolton borough, said: “There has been an increase in vehicle crime there and we have made nine arrests.

“We know of the people who are doing these crimes, a lot of them are due in court.”

Officers have also been visiting people in the area, giving out advice.

DS Catterall said: “We are trying to make people be a bit more careful. We want residents to make sure they are taking their stuff out of the car.

“These people just think ‘there is a bag, let's take it’. Just don’t give them the opportunity to take anything. We want residents to leave their cars under lights.”

Despite the arrests, police are continuing their work to find those responsible for the crimes.

DS Catterall said: “The main thing we want to say is 'just don’t leave anything on show'. We have had taxi drivers leaving their cash bags in the middle of the car.

“We are trying to get round the taxi ranks to give out some advice as well.”

DS Catterall said that police are expecting to make more arrests and pledged that those responsible will be brought to justice.

Anyone with information should contact boltonsouth@gmp.police.uk