EXTRA police are being drafted into Bolton in a major Christmas crackdown on town centre crime.

Intensified police operations aim to stop thieves who annually target shoppers in the busy build up to Christmas.

In Farnworth, a new crime-busting initiative will also be stepped up, and shopkeepers are being put on alert.

But shoppers themselves are being asked not to forget the important role they have to play to keep criminals at bay.

Supt Ian McLoughlin, sub-divisional commander at Bolton Central Police Station, said: "We will be working hard to beat crime, but shoppers need to show some common sense as well.

"We do have a lot of car crime and I would remind people not to leave goods or valuables in their cars, lying on back seats or on show. It only takes a thief five seconds to break in."

He also warned people not to carry large amounts of money in the town centre when shopping. The police team will include uniformed and plain-clothed officers, detectives, mounted police and men from the Tactical Aid Group.

Supt McLoughlin, said: "We are also concentrating on car parks in Farnworth and Bolton town centres - but that does not mean we will not be paying attention to shoplifters and thieves.

"We are also very aware of thieves who come in from outside areas. They caused problems last year and we expect it to be the same again this time around. In short our message to any criminals who intend to target Bolton is - don't bother."

He also outlined plans to increase the numbers of CCTV cameras in conjunction with the Local Authority.

In Farnworth, an initiative, named 'FASTA' (Farnworth Anti-Theft Shop Association), is being stepped up. WPC Andrea Brown, who has been area officer in Farnworth since February, said: "The scheme incorporates a bleeper, 'ring-around' system which alerts me immediately to any problems shopkeepers are experiencing.

"It means I can be at the scene of a crime within minutes."

Pauline Blackmore, manageress at Farnworth's Cuts Galore shop, said: "We work well with the police. FASTA is a really good system, which is rapidly growing among Farnworth shopkeepers."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.