A CASH windfall has spelled trouble for burglars in the Bay.

Charity Safe Partnership has been given £62,500 to provide free security upgrades to 500 Torbay homes.

The charity offers a full security audit and provides security measures tailored for each home together with advice and training.

This could include the installation door chains and window locks.

A letter sent to residents by the Safe Partnership said: "Although Torbay is not a high crime area, statistics show that houses with no security are ten times more likely to be burgled that those with simple security measures.

"This is because the majority of burglaries that take place are opportunistic and the visible deterrent that is a home security system is enough to put off most potential perpetrators."

The grant means 500 homes, will receive security upgrades on a first-come, first-served basis.

Louisa Aiton, Torbay Council's cabinet member for community safety and community engagement, said: "We are really pleased to be one of the beneficiaries of the moneys from the Safer Homes Fund.

"We strive to ensure that Torbay remains a safe place to live and this pot of money will only add to the hard work that is already being undertaken by the police and fire services.

"The aim is to help people feel safer and more informed on how to keep themselves safe and their properties secure as well as prompting them to engage in their local communities and look out for one another.

"This is an opportunity for local residents to benefit from a free service, which they otherwise might not be able to afford."

The money is part of £5million allocated by the Home Office to make 45,000 homes safer across 93 areas in England.

If you would like to be considered for the scheme, call 0845 2309090.