RESIDENTS in two Crime plagued areas of Bolton are "shopping" criminals in their droves -- leading to a cut in the number of break-ins, attacks and car thefts.

Crime rates in Great Lever and Halliwell, have been slashed by as much as a quarter since a mobile police station was deployed into both areas for 12-week periods.

There were 80 fewer cases of burglary, car crime, damage, robbery and wounding in Great Lever from April to July than at the same time last year. The figures fell from 315 to 235.

Officers at Bolton's Copshop received more than 180 intelligence calls from the public, leading to 60 arrests.

One tip-off led police to launch an operation which netted 18 bags of heroin, 11 rocks of crack-cocaine and £800 cash. Two men were later arrested and charged.

It was a similar success story in Halliwell, where the pioneering Copshop was first deployed for 12-weeks from February to May this year.

Officers received 130 tip-offs, leading to 23 arrests, nine house searches and 62 stop-searches. Crime in the area fell by 12 per cent, from 293 cases recorded in 2002 to 269.

In one case, police acted on information from a member of the public to target a man carrying 43 bags of heroin. He was arrested and later charged.

The Copshop is now in Tonge Moor and police are already reporting a week on week crime drop. It is due to visit other crime plagued areas across Bolton over the next few months.

Sgt Wayne Readfern said: "We are leaving people with community-based ideas.

"For example, there was only one neighbourhood watch scheme in Halliwell. When we left there were seven. We want to give the public the confidence to speak to the police so that they know when they do, we will act upon their information.

"We are getting back on to the beat and working within the community and the results speak for themselves."

A host of community-based projects have also been launched as a result of work from the unit.

The £40,000 Bolton Copshop is the first of its kind in Greater Manchester. It is a 40ft long converted freight container with an enquiry office, a front counter and private interview rooms. It is also linked to the force-wide computer network to offer help and advice to residents on all aspects of crime.

A number of Bolton's Police Community Safety Officers (PCSO's) are also based there.

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