THOUSANDS of volunteers are being recruited by police for a major anti-burglary campaign covering Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale.

Pennine Division is plagued with the highest number of house break-ins Lancashire with many homes being burgled for a second time shortly after the first offence.

In Burnley "repeat victimisation" accounts for one in every ten house burglaries, in Rossendale it is six per cent and in Pendle almost seven per cent.

Supt Mike Griffin, Divisional Commander, said: "Last year we dealt with more than 3,500 domestic burglary victims, many for a second time.

"Our aim is to stop burglars coming back by getting victims to improve the security at their homes and for them to security mark their property.''

Every domestic burglary victim will get an advice pack together with a marker pen.

Changes are also being made into the way burglaries are recorded to quickly identify "hot spots''. Warning notices will then go up in the streets and letters sent to local residents. Police patrols will also be increased and officers are also asking for up to five of the victim's neighbours to become part of a Cocoon Watch Scheme.

"We want them to give as much information as they can about their neighbour's burglary. This will help us to arrest more burglars. With victims and neighbours we could have up to 20,000 people involved in the fight against house burglaries.''

In Haslingden where burglary victims are given a security package for their homes revictimisation is 60 per cent lower than in the rest of Rossendale and one of the lowest in the country.

Victims in South West Burnley who take up the opportunity to have their home security improved enjoy a re-victimisation rate almost 80 per cent lower than in the rest of the town.

In Pendle a burglary scheme working with the elderly has also dramatically reduced the chances of a second offence.

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