BOLTON has become the top place in Greater Manchester for members of the public "blowing the whistle" on the town's criminals.

In Greater Manchester as a whole, a quarter of all arrests during May and June were a direct result of calls from members of the public to Crimestoppers on the free phone number, 0800 555 111.

And the county's police chiefs believe a leap in the number of arrests followed a major publicity campaign in Bolton.

Every household in the borough was given a leaflet about Crimestoppers -- £120,000 worth in all -- after getting funding from Bolton Council.

Sue Arden, regional manager for Greater Manchester Crimestoppers, said: "It is tremendous stuff.

"Last year there were 63 arrests following calls to Crimestoppers in Bolton but this year the figures are going to be much higher. The Bolton division is now top in the eleven police divisions in Greater Manchester."

Crimestoppers hands out cash rewards to callers whose information leads to the arrest and charge of a person. The initiative in Greater Manchester is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year and is hoping to mark the occasion with the recovery of £10 million pounds of stolen goods.

For the last three years, the region has come top in the UK for the number of arrests made as a result of calls made.

Last year there were 752 arrests and property valued at £1.5million was seized.

Crimestoppers has helped to increase the success of a number of police operations aimed at targeting criminals in the Greater Manchester area.

Ms Arden added: "We have a great deal to celebrate. The success of Crimestoppers is due to one main factor - callers remain anonymous.

"The types of people who ring us include those who have information about criminals but fear retribution so do not come forward and give the information to police. There may be others who may just not want to get involved or be called as witnesses. Money is certainly not the main motivation of people who ring Crimestoppers. Less than five per cent seek rewards for their information.

"Without Crimestoppers, many criminals would remain in the community and simply re-offend." Crimestoppers will help Christie's TO celebrate its 10th anniversary, Greater Manchester Crimestoppers is hosting a gala dinner on Saturday, October 14, at the Palace Hotel in Oxford Road, Manchester, with speakers William Roache -- Ken Barlow in Coronation Street, and GMP chief constable David Wilmot, and there will be a charity auction for Christie Hospital hosted by drag comedian Foo Foo Lamarr. Tickets are £5, call 0161 228 7781.