Police to pose as burglars by prowling in middle of the night attempting to break in windows and doors waking homeowners to give firm lectures

Police to pose as burglars in the middle of the night in bid to cut break-ins
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If you awoke in the dead of night and saw a suspicious character trespassing on your property trying your windows and doors you would assume it was a burglar and immediately call the police.

But residents may be in for a shock for the dark-clad figure trying your car door may in fact be a police officer.

Officers are posing as burglars to test the windows and doors of homes in a campaign to improve security.

And if they find an open door or window they will drag sleepy residents from their beds in order to inform them.

The move is part of a new initiative called Operation Golden which aims to slash burglary rates in Macclesfield in Cheshire.

Police say almost 40 per cent of all burglars gain access through and insecure window or door and have launched the operation to cut crime.

But last night the force was condemned by who said the move could cause alarm and increase the fear of crime, especially among the elderly.

One 82-year-old resident, who did not want to be named, said: 'If they're not careful the police will end up arresting their own officers.

'It's going to get very confusing for them. I'm sure this silly scheme will prove very unpopular and will be stopped.

'If I got a knock on my door at 1am I'd tell whoever was there where to get off and I wouldn't be polite about it.'