NEARLY three-quarters of Bolton homes are not protected by burglar alarms, a shock survey claims.

The study, commissioned by home security experts, has found that 70 per cent of homeowners have not installed the crime-fighting equipment.

And the survey also concluded that one-fifth of homes in the town have no security measures at all to protect against house break-ins.

Now security chiefs and police bosses are urging residents to protect their homes against burglars before their home is targeted.

Chief Insp Alan Greene, based at Bolton Central police station, said: "All statistics and research show that having alarms, good locks and other measures dramatically reduces the chance of being burgled.

"Figures show that burglary in Bolton is down but if you don't put these measures in place, you run the risk of having your home broken into."

Two weeks ago the BEN revealed that a crime fighting scheme to chain up wheelie bins had helped slash burglaries in a break-in hotspot.

A police initiative in the Tonge Moor area and part of Breightmet's New Lane estate has seen break-ins cut by a quarter, comparing year-on-year figures.

But the survey, commissioned by Norweb Home Services, found that of those homes not alarmed, nearly one-tenth were "protected" by dummy boxes and a quarter of householders relied on good locks alone to keep intruders out.

Tina Boulton, a manager at Norweb Home Services, said: "We expected the survey to throw up some interesting facts about people's attitudes to home security but we were shocked to see the extent to which it is overlooked by many householders in the region.

"With winter nights now upon us, we have entered the riskiest time of year for home security as burglars take advantage of the extra cover of darkness.

"There are also richer pickings in the run-up to Christmas, with presents being stored at home."