AN initiative to lessen the chance of burglary victims being targeted again has been launched by Pennine Police Division.

The Cocoon Watch Initiative, launched at Burnley Police Station, aims to reduce the number of repeat offences on the same property.

After a break-in, the chances of being targeted again are high and the risk only drops after 90 days. This initiative aims to increase security during that period.

Currently there are around 3,500 burglaries in Burnley per year and six percent of those are re-targeted.

Although it is well below national average of 16 percent, Pennine Police want to do everything they can to reduce what is known as 'revictimisation'.

As part of the scheme police have pledged to ensure that all burglary victims not only receive first class service and a thorough investigation, but also additional support from crime prevention officers and a special pack -- sponsored by Fast Glass and Homeguard Alarms -- containing free advice, security stickers and property marking pens.

In addition, police say they will also make personal visits to surrounding properties -- to warn them of the break-in and ensure that neighbours can speak to a crime prevention officer if they have any concerns about the security of their property.

PC Dave Sykes, from Pennine Division's community safety department, said: "It is no coincidence that that the launch of Cocoon Watch coincides with Lancashire Constabulary's county-wide crime crackdown, Operation Reassure.

"Both of these initiatives are aimed at reducing crime and in particular the number of burglaries which traditionally increases at this time of year.

"The aim of Cocoon Watch is to ensure that, should somebody be unfortunate enough to become a burglary victim, they not only know that we will try our best to catch the offender, but that they will also receive all the help we can possibly give them to recover from the incident and make sure they are not targeted again."