LOCAL police are winning the fight against robbers, new figures have revealed.

The reduction in street and business premises robberies in the borough follows an increase in police patrols in a number of hotspot areas and greater awareness by crime-conscious traders.

In the last six months Sedgley Park has enjoyed a 48 per cent reduction while robbery crimes in Ramsbottom have been slashed by half. Bury town centre has seen a 33 per cent reduction in robbery offences compared with the same period last year.

Chief Inspector Dave Wolfe, of Bury Police, said: "Many retail outlets have taken on board advice from our Crime Reduction Adviser and installed security devices resulting in a reductions in many areas.

"For example no offences have occurred at Victoria Wines since November. At the beginning of 2002 they were averaging one a month!"

He continued: "Intelligence-led policing has resulted in the arrest of certain individuals for offences of handbag snatches in Radcliffe and Bury. Operations aimed at making the areas in and around the Metrolink have also produced some success. Efforts are continuing in this area."

"Robbery in all forms continues to be our main priority and we now have dedicated patrols aimed at tackling the problem around the clock."