THOUSANDS of victims of house burglaries and their neighbours will be given free security packages under a crime-beating scheme.

Compass Watch, launched yesterday by Northumbria Police, will help 2,000 people in the next two years.

The scheme, backed by £166,000 of Government funding, will involve police fitting security devices to homes.

Superintendent Kelvin Wilson said: "Tackling house burglary is one of our main objectives. Putting together such a comprehensive approach to this problem will make a significant impact.