Free burglar alarms for Derbyshire's break-in hotspots

Burglary victims in Derbyshire's break-in hotspots are to get free alarms fitted to their homes in a bid to cut crime.

Council bosses hope the scheme with reduce burglaries in the worst hit parts of Chesterfield, Bolsover, North East Derbyshire and Erewash.

Derbyshire County Council agreed to fund the alarms after a pilot project in Chesterfield saw a dramatic drop in repeat incidents.

Burglaries dropped from 493 to 455 during the first year of the scheme - and none of the 81 previously burgled homes which had an alarm fitted were targeted again.

According to Home Office estimates, the reduction in burglaries during the trial period in Chesterfield resulted in a £124,184 saving for the county's taxpayers.

Councillor Clive Moesby said: "This project's success has been hugely important for residents who've been emotionally and financially devastated by burglary.

"People who had an alarm fitted during the pilot told us they also felt safer and less worried about crime which we know is a major consideration affecting their quality of life.

"This coupled with the project's success at making savings for Derbyshire taxpayers means we're delighted to be able to expand it to other parts of the county."

He added: "Derbyshire's already a safe place to live but we're committed to continue working closely with the police and our other partners this year to reduce burglaries and other crime to make it even safer."

Work is scheduled to start in Amber Valley and Erewash in March and continue until May.