POLICE are urging residents to install live CCTV security systems after burglars were thwarted after a homeowner rang officers about activity outside their property.

Greater Manchester Police received an emergency call on February 16 at 4.45pm in relation to a suspected burglary in progress at a residential address at Chapel Lane, Hale Barns.

The home owner, who was away on holiday, was alerted to unusual activity outside their home as they had installed a live CCTV security system and received a warning message on their mobile telephone.

Officers responded to the call on an emergency response but the suspected burglars left the address without gaining access.

Insp Jon Evans, from Greater Manchester Police’s Trafford district said: “Traditional CCTV is no longer an effective deterrent as most burglars are now covering their face and wearing gloves which can make identifying them extremely difficult.

“In addition, traditional CCTV is only useful after a crime has been committed.

“The benefit of installing a live CCTV system, with motion detection and home owner alerts to your phone, is that you can monitor from a remote location and ensures that you can be alerted of any activity outside your home that needs you to contact us on 999.

“These systems can help us catch suspected burglars in the act, as we tend to approach addresses without sirens as not to spook the intruders.

“The incident in Hale Barns, highlights the true value of having a live CCTV system protecting your home 24 hours a day.”

Police have issued some home security advice including installing an alarm system and have two working bell/siren boxes. An alarm activation can disturb any potential burglars and also makes your neighbours aware.

The latest alarm systems also include external Passive infrared sensors (PIR) covering external gardens, side walls and property boundaries rather than just internal rooms.

Enquiries are ongoing so call 101 or visit www.gmp.police.uk quoting reference: 2131/160220.