Free lights to fight crime

Rochdale police will be visiting over 750 homes in the Central, Milkstone and Deeplish and Balderstone and Kirkholt to find out how much community members know about their local neighbourhood teams are and how residents can help in producing neighbourhood policing priorities.

As part of the visit residents will be given a crime prevention package which will include energy saving light bulbs.

Around 2,000 of the bulbs will be given to these householders in a bid to protect homes from burglars.

The crime fighting initiative is backed by energy giants E-on who are providing the free light bulbs to help people save energy and ultimately reduce carbon emissions.

Householders are encouraged to use the bulbs in external lighting and hallways to deter burglars. The low energy bulbs will also allow people to leave lights on when they are out or overnight in vulnerable locations while keeping energy costs down.

Neighbourhood Policing officers will be distributing the bulbs and will also use the opportunity to advise people on how to keep themselves and their property safe.

Inspector Lin Houldershaw Rochdale North Neighbourhood Policing Team: “External security lighting and leaving a light on in the home when you go out can greatly reduce your chances of falling prey to burglars. This partnership initiative will help people to safeguard their homes while keeping energy costs and carbon footprints down.

“Neighbourhood Policing teams have also been busy providing high visibility patrols in hotspot areas and helping people take necessary steps to reduce their chances of being burgled.

“This includes shutting and locking all external doors and windows whether you are at home or not, and fitting and using a burglar alarm. Using these lights can also leave burglars guessing on whether your home is occupied or not.

“We are committed to reducing burglaries and urge people to follow the simple advice here to keep burglars out in the cold.”