POLICE are warning residents to be extra vigilant after a rise in burglaries in the area.

The reminder comes after a spurt of ‘hook and cane’ incidents in Ramsbottom and Tottington during the past two weeks.

Thieves are getting into homes and cars by hooking wires through letter boxes to unlock the door or steal keys that are kept nearby.

Police say around 40 per cent of house burglaries are due to residents simply leaving their homes insecure Recent crime figures from Greater Manchester Police revealed a 77 per cent rise in theft from motor vehicles in the area and 30 per cent increase in burglaries.