POLICE and local people are working together to beat crime in Ramsbottom.

Recently the crime rate in the town has been falling dramatically. And police say the welcome drop is a result of the vigilance of the local community.

On average Ramsbottom police receive 12 reports of crime per day from an area which incorporates Affetside, Greenmount, Hawkshaw, Holcombe Brook, Ramsbottom, Shuttleworth, Summerseat and Tottington.

Last week only four crimes were reported to Ramsbottom police officers. Incidents included attempted break-ins at a Ramsbottom pub and at a house in Greenmount, and an attempted theft from a car in Tottington. And officers caught three people breaking into a business in Tottington.

Inspector Karen Pinder, head of Ramsbottom Police, said: "This extraordinary respite from crime is very encouraging. And while I cannot claim that it can be attributed to the policing arrangements for Ramsbottom, it is gratifying for the police to be part of the community's effort to beat the burglar."

Insp Pinder added the welcome result was due to locals making the area less attractive to criminals through joining Homewatch schemes, reporting suspicious people, cars and incidents, and taking the security of their homes and possessions seriously.

"We cannot afford to be complacent about the security of our homes and businesses in the run-up to Christmas," warned Insp Pinder, "But I would hope that the police and public can continue to frustrate the criminal and to make Ramsbottom a safe place to live and work."

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