THE number of burglaries in Trafford is continuing to fall accord-ing to police chiefs.

And they say it is down in no small part to the dedicated burglary response teams in both the north and south of the borough.

The first team was set up in north Trafford back in 1997 in a bid to address the rising number of incidents in the area.

Now that has proved so successful that south Trafford has its own team and together they have combined to reduce burglaries by almost a fifth.

The two teams are designed to increase awareness amongst homeowners, so they will not be a repeat target for burglars.

The two bobbies on each unit visit those who are victims and work with other groups to offer support and advice.

This worked well and fewer and fewer people victims suffering a repeat raid.

Crime reduction adviser for north Trafford, PC Paul Berry tells SUM: "When the crime and disorder reduction targets were set in 1998-99, burglary in private houses was a real problem and a target of 15 per cent was set.

"Thanks to these dedicated teams, there has been a reduction of more than 18 per cent across Trafford and that good work has not gone unnoticed.

"Now bobbies from other areas in Manchester are looking to us for advice on setting up their own teams to combat burglary in their division."

PCs Peter Bauer and David Richard-son staff the team in Stretford while in the south PC's Russ Arpino and Phil Rassmussen run it.

Both units are now aiming to achieve an even greater reduction in the future.

PC Berry adds: "After being initially set up as a pilot scheme, the burglary response teams have gone from strength to strength.

"It doesn't end there though and the work will be continuing to drive down crime even further."

For more information on either burglary response team, call one of the crime reduction advisers in north Trafford, PC Paul Berry or Mark Aspin on 856-7746, or in south Trafford, PC Tony Crompton on 856-7546.