NEIGHBOUR disputes have increased as lockdown tensions rise, say police.

Officers say they have been contacted by residents whose cars have been splashed, reports of being looked at 'funny' to fence panels being changed ­— and they are just some of the the complaints they have received.

And now police are urging neighbours to "take a deep breath, walk away and be the bigger person".

Posting on the GMP Swinton and Little Hulton page, officers said: "PC Jones and PCSO Dickin have been out on mobile patrol around Walkden South dealing with a number of neighbour disputes which have slowly started to increase over the past couple of weeks.

"I am not saying the behaviour of some people towards their neighbours is acceptable, however a lot of small matters that before may have not been brought to our attention are now highlighted to us at an increasing rate, such as fence panels being changed, cross words said between neighbours, neighbours looking at them funny, cars being splashed by neighbours hoses, I can go on.

"I totally understand peoples frustrations having been on lockdown for roughly two months and patience is running thin. Sometimes (not in all cases) you just need to take a deep breath, walk away and be the bigger person."