A SCHEME to fit locks on doors and windows of burglary victims in Huddersfield is to be extended.

The project, which offers free security to victim householders, has dramatically reduced repeat break-ins across Kirklees.

It has been so successful that it will be rolled out to other areas in the district highlighted as burglary hotspots.

Chief Insp Nadeem Butt, of West Yorkshire Police, said: "This innovative project is making properties more secure.

"It not only focuses on homes that have been attacked, but it also targets those in vulnerable areas to prevent crime happening in the first place.

"Very few properties that have received the service have been broken into. This work will continue throughout Kirklees."

The scheme provides a free security assessment and locks, door chains and lights to burgled householders and other homes identified as vulnerable targets - including the immediate neighbours of burgled homes.

There has been virtually a 100% success rate in eliminating repeat burglaries in the 700 homes which have been target hardened so far.

On average, about 10% of burgled homes are broken into again.

The scheme is being extended as part of the Show Burglars the Red Card Campaign, launched by Kirklees Community Safety Partnership in July.

The campaign covers a range of schemes to help people make their homes less attractive to burglars and reduce their chances of becoming a victim.

It began in partnership with Deighton-based local social enterprise company, Fresh Horizons, in October, 2003.

Fresh Horizons, a non-profit organisation, has a policy of employing people from the local community to provide new work and training opportunities.

It has about 30 employees and has more than doubled the number of homes it set out to protect.

Les Preece, the company's security programme manager,

said: "We've been conducting security assessments and fitting out about nine houses a day - in all kinds of weather - with locks, chains and lighting.

"We react as quickly as possible to help people who've been burgled and to make their homes safer."

Clr Ann Raistrick, who chairs Kirklees Community Safety Partnership, said: "This scheme is very successful. The added security and confidence in areas where this work has been done will do much to relieve residents' concerns and fear of crime."