MORE than 1,000 homes in Runcorn will receive anti-burglary packs next week as part of a project to protect vulnerable people.

Police officers and PCSOs will be delivering the packs to elderly and vulnerable residents from Monday to help tackle and prevent burglary offences.

Organised by Runcorn Local Policing Unit (LPU) the initiative has been boosted by a £4,000 Tesco Bags of Help grant and donations from Halton Borough Council and two housing associations.

The council has offered to donate around £4,000 to the Protecting Vulnerable People From Burglary project.

Halton Housing and Onward Homes have both donated more than £1,000.

The packs contain:

• Window alarms and door chimes to immediately alert homeowners of a break-in

• Lights timer switches to give would-be burglars the impression that someone is at home when there isn’t

• SelectaDNA liquid to enable people to mark their property with a unique DNA identifier so that the police can easily trace it back to them in the event of it being stolen and recovered

• A magnifying glass to enable all residents to read the ID of anyone who calls at their home

• Leaflets detailing Cheshire Constabulary’s advice on how residents can reduce their chances of becoming a victim of burglary.

Detective sergeant Rob McLoughlin, of Runcorn LPU, said: "The project was devised last year following a spike in burglary incidents in Runcorn in which the victims tended to be vulnerable residents.

"It ties in with Operation Shield, a force-wide initiative to tackle burglary offences.

"Burglary is a serious offence in which victims are targeted at their own home, which is the place that they should be able to feel most safe.

"We have a multi-faceted approach to tackling burglary offences which involves education, awareness and various forms of action to prevent burglaries and bring offenders to justice.

"This project gives us another string to our bow in that regard, with the anti-burglary packs proving vulnerable residents with key tools to lessen the chances of them becoming victims.

"The packs have been funded by a Tesco Bags of Help grant – which we were awarded for the Protecting Vulnerable People From Burglary project following a public vote – and donations from Halton Borough Council and Halton Housing and Onward Homes.

"I can’t thank the council, housing associations, Tesco and the people who voted for the project to receive a grant from the supermarket chain enough for their help and support and we are looking forward to delivering the anti-burglary packs from next week to Runcorn residents we have identified as being vulnerable."

David Keane, police and crime commissioner for Cheshire, added: "This project will support so many vulnerable Runcorn residents to protect their homes from burglars.

"It is a deeply upsetting experience being the victim of a burglary and I know that Cheshire Constabulary does extensive work to tackle burglary offences.

"However, there is only so much that the police can do.

"These new anti-burglary packs will give residents important tools to protect their own homes in the run up to a period which traditionally sees an increase in burglaries, with the nights drawing in and Christmas approaching."

The destinations of a large proportion of the anti-burglary packs have already been decided.

However, if anyone wants to make an enquiry about getting one for themselves or a family member they should email dawn.taylor@cheshire.pnn.police.uk with their name, age, address and any additional information they feel is relevant.

More advice is available online at www.cheshire.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/residential-burglary.