POLICE officers took to a road in Harringay which has been a target for burglars to try to make residents' homes safer.

Seven Sisters Safer Neighbourhood Team enlisted Age Concern handyman Richard Garner to fit new door locks, security chains, and deadlocks at homes along Hermitage Road.

The residential street saw a spike in burglaries at the end of last year, with eleven homes broken into and two more attempted burglaries in November and December.

Investigations showed half of the break-ins were through front doors which had weak locks, and the other half the burglar got into through unsecured windows and side doors.

Sgt Tom Smyth, who heads the local police team, said his officers have contacted homes all along Hermitage Road and he hopes the initiative will continue to drive down burglary in the area.

He said: “This project is about finding a long-term solution.

"One of the biggest hurdles in our battle against burglary is a lack of awareness among residents about security. Many people either have inadequate locks, or they have decent locks but just don't bother to use them.

“This project will enable us to make a broad impact; increasing our visibility so that residents are aware that there is an issue and police are working to do something about it, improving the security of properties that are identified to have vulnerabilities, and at the same time highlighting the importance of using the locks you've got.”

The latest batch of new locks and security devices were installed on Friday, March 4, after officers enlisted the help of the Metropolitan Care and Repair scheme which targets a particular road or area to offer residents security advice and new locks if needed.

Gwendoline Cole, 68, was one of the residents contacted by officers on Friday and who had a new door chain fitted to help keep out bogus callers. She said: "The officers are walking around all the time, so they know what's going on.

“It's good to get to know the PCSOs and know that I can speak to them if I have any problems, it's reassuring, they are definitely an asset. I think this project is a very good thing."