Doorstep security measures

Parkway Green, in partnership with the Merseyside Residents Network, Greater Manchester Police and Manchester Working Limited has been fitting free security measures for elderly residents in the Shenton area of Wythenshawe.

This includes a wall mirror that means residents can see callers when the front door chain is on and a magnifying card reader to help them check identification.

The idea comes from the Merseyside Residents Network which piloted the idea in Liverpool after a pensioner died following an attack by a bogus policeman, who broke into her home.

Working with Parkway Green Housing Trust and repairs and maintenance provider Manchester Working Ltd the Resident's Network helped install doorstep security packs in around 70 homes. The security packs were sponsored and fitted free of charge by Manchester Working Ltd as part of its commitment to creating safer communities.

After rolling out the scheme in Liverpool, Blackpool and Manchester they are now looking to expand across the north west and create a tenants' grass-roots information network exchange forum.

Parkway Green's Jodi Huxley said: "We were delighted to support this initiative and work with our partners to help protect our residents. The pilot was a huge success and I would like to thank everyone involved."

Paul Taylor, Chair of the Residents Network said: "These are the first packs we've installed in the area and we're delighted to come to Manchester to share this idea. It was clear from speaking to residents on the day that many of them welcomed any additional security measures that the landlord can provide, allowing tenants that extra safety reassurance."

Sergeant Neil Tolley from the Northenden Neighbourhood Team said: "This is an excellent partnership approach to the prevention of a particularly distressing crime and will help us to reduce such incidents in the future. Such initiatives between GMP and our partners at Parkway Green and Manchester Working Ltd, the idea can only help us to reduce burglary offences in the community and the victims of such crimes.

"We ask that local residents help us by watching over those neighbours who may be vulnerable and elderly, to assist us in preventing offenders from committing these types of crime that cause misery and distress to others."

Manchester Working Ltd's Brian Gates said: "MWL is committed to helping to make neighbourhoods safer and through this partnership we have been able to help make a real difference to residents in Manchester by fitting some simple but effective devices. We look forward to continuing to role this programme out across the north west."