BOLTON homeowners are being urged to help crackdown on crime - by bringing the town's burglars down to earth with a bump.

The police warning follows a spate of burglaries - in the Heaton, Chapeltown and Bromley Cross areas - by thieves using ladders to climb into homes.

Now Bolton police chiefs are urging local residents to lock away their ladders to stop the thieves from using them.

Twice last week a thief used ladders stolen from neighbouring houses, but was disturbed attempting to disable household alarm systems before breaking into homes.

Police are urging people to hide away anything, such as ladders and garden spades which can be used to lever open doors and windows, which the thieves may use to break in.

Sgt Brian Langrish, of the Bolton Police Tactical Deployment Unit, based at Astley Bridge Police Station, said Bolton thieves are targeting "good class housing."

"In many of the cases the residents themselves have helped the thieves by leaving ladders around for them to use. The thief has then used the ladders to climb into that house or a neighbouring home."

The police chief urged householders to use their "commonsense" by locking away ladders or bolting them down so the thieves cannot use them.

Anyone suspicious of any intruders in their area - during the day or night - is asked to contact the police immediately on 0161 872 5050.

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