Atherton Online

Greater Manchester Police say that though burglary is still on the decrease people can help bring it down further by including security improvements on their home and garden to-do list this spring.

Latest figures show there were 11.5 per cent fewer burglaries in Wigan borough in the 12 months to the end of February this year compared to the same period last year, equating to 164 fewer victims.

By making a few improvements to home, garage, shed and garden security people can greatly reduce their chances of losing valuables to heartless thieves and save themselves from the pain of this distressing crime.

The top three deterrents to burglars are alarms, locks and lights.

Residents are advised to fit a quality household alarm that protects all external doors and downstairs rooms and to be sure to set it when leaving the home empty or retiring for the night.

Mortise locks on external doors and window locks help to keep burglars out but only if doors and windows are kept shut and locked even when you are in. Police say that around one in three burglaries are down to thieves entering through insecure doors and windows and just walking out with valuables.

So the festival is on! But what beer would you rate as Bent & Bongs King ale of 2011? Vote below!

Help to catch out callous criminals who prey on older and vulnerable people is available at the touch of a button thanks to a new partnership website.

Top tips, useful videos and helpful local contact numbers are among the features of a new website launched to help beat distraction burglary, bogus officials and rogue traders.

There's also an interactive quiz, downloadable leaflets and a printable window sign.

Here's a video posted by The European ATM security team that shows footage from a recovered pin hole camera used by criminals in the UK. You can see the criminals fitting a pin hole camera which is used to gather pin numbers, and then fitting the card reader that'll be used to clone the card.

Anyway, just interesting to see how it's done and a reminder to cover your hand up when entering your pin. I know I never do (did!), but it seems to make a big difference.

The security team recommends you follow the following guidelines when taking money out:

Police in Wigan are urging local residents to keep their vehicles secure at all times. 

Residents are reminded to make sure windows are locked and all valuables are out of sight, this includes iPods, hangbags, laptops, mobile phone chargers, sat navs and their mounting cradle. 

Wendy O’Neil Crime Reduction Advisor said: “We urge people not to leave anything of value displayed in their vehicles. Even a coat or bag might tempt a thief to break in. Lock your possessions in the boot or better still remove them completely from the vehicle. It only takes a few seconds to remove your valuables. Don’t make it easy for criminals. “ 

Police are issuing the following tips on how to avoid becoming a victim of car crime: 

Local children have expressed their artistic talent in a competition to design a crime and burglary awareness postcard for Greater Manchester Police and Wigan Council. 

Youngsters in years 5-6 from St Georges Church of England Primary School, Meadow Bank Primary School and New Greenhall Primary School, Atherton, all had a go at creating images and slogans that would catch the eye of local residents. 

Talented winner Connor Greenhalgh (of year 5 New Greenhall Primary School) designed a postcard reminding people to keep their personal possessions safe and his message focused on the theft of laptops. 

School pupils from Atherton were advised about how to keep their homes and belongings safe. 

PCSOs visited year 6 classes in St Georges Church of England Primary School and in Meadow Bank Primary School, to help pupils avoid becoming victims of crime and become a Junior Crime Fighter. 

Youngsters were asked to take home and fill in a short survey with questions about how security conscious they are in the home when it comes to locking doors and windows and what steps to take when going on holiday. 
Completed surveys were all entered into a prize draw to win an MP3 player. Pupils were also given a UV security-marking pen to mark personal property and they were each presented with a certificate for taking part. 

Well it's Easter weekend and all is quiet in Atherton it seems. As is often the case on days like these I decided to browse the internet for things of interest and stumbled upon these pictures taken from, and of, or own Parish Church tower by a photographer who's flickr username is Mr Dayglo. Looks like they were only taken at the beginning of last month and they're excellent photographs. I never knew there was an art room halfway up there. I especially like the tilt-shift pictures that transform Atherton into a toytown.

So if you've a few minutes to spare, take a look and as always, please let us know your thoughts in the comments at the bottom of this article. Click on the images to see a bigger version.

All pictures are from the flickr set Atherton Parish Church and are © All rights reserved