BURGLARIES are on the rise in Swindon with the town's chronic drugs problems the main catalyst.

Between April 1 and December 31 last year 946 burglaries were reported to Swindon police while during the same period the previous year it was 798.

The Swindon police crackdown on burglary Operation Delta has now been rolled out full-time after initially only being set up as a three-month programme.

And while it has proved particularly successful in targeting the bogus callers and conmen responsible for so-called distraction burglaries, the man leading the unit says he needs more public help to solve day-to-day house break-ins.

Burglary has traditionally been a quick and easy way for drug addicts to fund their habits.

The trade in Class A drugs is worth £18 million each year in Swindon alone and there are currently 3,000 heroin and crack cocaine addicts in the town with the number rising fast.

Detective Chief Inspector Paul Granger, Swindon's crime manager, said: "We know burglaries have gone up this year, but we are working very hard to be pro-active in targeting offenders. The message we're trying to get across loud and clear is one of crime prevention and making sure people don't become soft targets.

"If houses are locked and secure thieves will move on somewhere else. People should be looking at their home and thinking how a burglar would react.

"People still have expensive television sets on display through their windows and if a burglar can see it's worth stealing they will.

"We're having some success, but it's going to take time. People know who these burglars are and drugs play a big part.

"Although we live in one of the safest counties in the country the fight goes on, but we need the full support and help of the public."

Computers are taking over from televisions and stereos as the most popular items to steal, while DVD players, cash, credit cards and jewellery remain common targets.

Householders are being advised to photograph their jewellery and get items security coded.

In addition basic security steps could help prevent break-ins. Decent locks, security lighting and joining a neighbourhood watch group all help make it tougher for burglars.

Giles Sheldrick