VILLAGERS are fighting back against a growing wave of burglaries.

At Englesea Brook neighbours are joining forces to increase vigilance and act quickly if they spot anything suspicious.

"We have had to do something. It appears that the arrival of more CCTV cameras in the towns is forcing the criminals out into the rural areas, " said Englesea Brook spokesman Mick Gummow.

The tiny village on the outskirts of Crewe has a population of 70, with homes strung out over a quarter of a mile. The most recent spate of raids left eight families devastated.

Hundreds of pounds worth of garden tools and equipment went missing.

"Our homes have been targeted in the past and although people were watchful for themselves and their neighbours, sometimes people at one end of the village didn't know what was going on at the other. Now we're all getting together so any would-be burglars out there had better watch out. We certainly are!" added Mr Gummow.

Every Englesea Brook home has signed up to the new Home Watch scheme, with residents keeping an eye on strangers and vehicles in the village.

"We're all taking notes of number plates and descriptions of vehicles and occupants. We're determined to beat these people. The last burglaries weren't carried out at random but were well organised. The village was singled out as vulnerable and they were slick operators," Mr Gummow said.

Local councillor Maureen Campbell has praised the village schemes.

"The growing numbers of burglaries is causing great concern. We would all like more of a police presence in the rural areas, but appreciate that lack of resources means the local force just can't provide the cover. Villagers being alert and quick to respond is the best alternative," she said.

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