WHEELIE bins are at the centre of a new crime threat claim police in Leyland.

They revealed that since the trash cans on castors were introduced in Lancashire, criminals have been putting them to various different uses.

Now, South Ribble residents are being consulted about whether the bins should be used in their area and police are asking the council to issue a warning about the security risks they could pose.

According to Sgt Graham Crow, some thieves have been standing on the bins to climb into houses then carting loot away in them like shopping in a trolley.

He added one man even hid inside a wheelie bin when he was being chased by police.

But two-thirds of residents who responded to the council survey said they would prefer to have the wheeled dustbins.

Now Sgt Crow is asking councillors to advise residents on how to stop burglars using their bins.

He said: "There were 312 crimes involving these bins throughout Lancashire last year.

"If they decide to go ahead with the scheme, I would like people to be told to chain the bins up so people can't take them. They should also be put away soon after collection - you could even organise it through a neighbourhood watch scheme."

Chairman of the Environmental Health and Control Committee, Councillor Gina Lewis, said she would be taking Sgt Crow's advice on board, but added: "If someone wants to break into a property they can be very imaginative."

Many residents surveyed thought the bins would be cheaper to run, more hygienic and leave less waste in the roads from spillage.

Some elderly residents have complained they wouldn't be strong enough to move the bins but the council said special arrangements could be made for them.

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