RESIDENTS and property developers are being asked to be the eyes and ears of the police.

The appeal follows a sudden increase in the number of break-ins at building site storage units around the borough and in neighbouring districts.

Over the last few weeks, at least ten tool cabins have been broken into with equipment worth hundreds of pounds being taken.

Sergeant Bruce Howard of Bury's operational police unit said that, in many cases, the stolen property was being offered for sale to other building companies.

He said: "There has been a marked increase in this type of burglary and, while officers have been asked to pay particular attention to building sites around the borough, we are asking people who live near these construction sites and who run them to report anyone acting suspiciously."

Sites in Radcliffe, Whitefield, Ramsbottom and Bury have already been targeted by the raiders.

Members of the public with information about the break-ins, or anyone who has been offered bargain-priced power tools, should contact the police on 856 8157.