A CRIME crackdown launched by St Helens Council has proved a major success over the festive period.

More than 1,000 postcards were sent out to the over 60s by the Community Crime Team containing crime prevention advice and an invitation for free security upgrades.

Many of those who received the advice have rung the Council to thank them confirming that they took the advice on board.

"It was part of a campaign with police to stop people from becoming seasonal victims of crime," says Councillor Ken Pinder, executive member for Crime and Disorder.

"Many people fall prey to burglars around Christmas. A timely reminder about security appears to have been a great success."