RESIDENTS are being urged to take advantage of a £200,000 grant scheme to improve home security.

The HomeSafe scheme, for homes in the Pennywell, Ford and South Hylton area of Sunderland, provides extra security measures, such as door and window locks, security lights and burglar alarms.

Residents, who also receive a free crime prevention survey and security assessment, can pay back the cost of work in affordable instalments.

The scheme, funded by the area's third round of the Single Regeneration Budget, has so far attracted interest from only 30 people.

David Hall, of the Safer Estates Task Force, who is project worker for the scheme, said: "This is an excellent project and we are urging people to come forward and find out more about it. They may be pleasantly surprised at just how little it costs.

"Wherever you live you want to make sure your home is as safe as possible. The HomeSafe scheme offers high quality security work at a price residents can afford, and we are urging them to take advantage of it.''

The Safer Estates Task Force is also offering to security mark up to five items of property for any resident in the area.

Regeneration programme co-ordinator Karon Purvis said: "The programme has already been hugely successful in cutting crime.

"To continue this success it's important we develop schemes that continue to combat crime and that residents can take full advantage of.''

For further details call David Hall on 0191-534 5846.