BOLTON has been given £174,000 by the Home Office to tackle problems of burglary.

The cash is for a scheme in Tonge Moor, Tonge Fold and Top o'th' Brow.

The plan involves the targeting of offenders, reducing the risk of victimisation, work with young people and better security of windows and doors.

The bid was put in by Greater Manchester Police and Bolton Council and follows a spate of burglaries in the area.

The scheme covers 6,713 households and follows reports that there were 777 burglaries in those areas last year.

Today, council leader Bob Howarth welcomed news of the cash injection which will help the town's anti-burglary battle.

He said: "This is an area of the town where there have been problems.

"This is the first result of the good co-operation we have with the police and other agencies.

"We hope to be able to extend this initiative to other areas which experience similar problems."

Bolton North-east MP David Crausby said: "In some ways burglary is one of the worst crimes.

"People fear it, and once they have been burgled they never stop worrying about it. I welcome this money -- it is certainly needed."

In total, the North-west will receive £1.5m of £8.3m handed out to 110 schemes across England as part of the Reducing Burglary Initiative.

The schemes aim to tackle burglary -- which makes up 20 per cent of property crime -- by strengthening neighbourhood watch schemes, putting in alley gates, improving lighting, fitting locks and other schemes.

A similar scheme for Little Hulton, Walkden and other parts of the Salford Council area has been given £274,800.

This scheme involves community mobilisation, increased awareness of existing services and property marking.

The scheme covers 12,686 houses.

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