POLICE have launched an initiative to warn people of the dangers to their homes and cars this Christmas.

Residents in Great Harwood and Rishton could soon find postcards behind their doors from officers outlining thief-friendly faults with their property. The cards warn: "'You're lucky it was us and not them."

Community beat manager PC Mark Skellorn is co-ordinating the Christmas Presence initiative in a bid to cut car crime and burglaries in the run-up to Christmas. Last year house burglaries in the towns doubled over the festive period and officers want to avoid a repetition. PC Skellorn, of Great Harwood police, said officers on night shifts from now until mid-January would patrol the towns and look out for potential dangers such as insecure doors, windows and valuable items on show. If problems are spotted with a property a postcard highlighting these will be posted through the door and a crime prevention pack will be sent to the occupant. If the problem is with a vehicle the officer will check the details of the owner and they will also be sent the relevant information to their home address.

PC Skellorn said: "In the build-up to Christmas we get a rise in burglaries and car crime and this is mainly in Rishton and Great Harwood.

"This year we have made inroads into burglary figures and we want to maintain that.

"These postcards will let people know that we have found their house or car to be insecure or at risk and that things could have been nicked.

"It will also tell them they are lucky we found this out and not a burglar or thief."

The crime prevention packs highlight basic points such as securing doors and windows, removing car stereos and not leaving Christmas presents or valuables on show.