POLICE are "alarmed" at a massive rise in property crime in Marlow and are calling on the public to help them crackdown on thieves.

Inspector Andy Kitchen, of Marlow police, revealed this week that there has been a 44 per cent rise in domestic burglaries in the town since 1997.

He said officers have launched a number of successful initiatives to curb the increase and have put in a bid to the Home Office to secure funds for further crime-fighting projects.

Insp Kitchen told a meeting of Marlow Town Centre Forum on Wednesday night: "We need the public's help to bring the burglary rate down still further. We are encouraging people to remain extremely vigilant and to report any suspicious activity to us.

"In the past few months, we have seen some success which we are pleased with."

Between 1998 and 1999 there were 304 burglaries in the town. The rate rose to 424 between 1999 and 2000.

The rise in domestic burglaries has been tackled through a high profile offensive by police and between April and November of last year, it was up by just 1.6 per cent.

One of town's most recent victims of burglary lost £2,500 in musical equipment after thieves smashed a window at their property in Churchill Drive on January 12.

The home owner, who asked not to be named, said: "There was smashed glass all over the living room floor and all over the children's toys.

"I don't mind so much about the stuff they took, it is the thought that they went upstairs.

"We are certainly changing our security arrangements."

Other crimes in the town have fallen considerably in the last year, with drug offences down by 31.6 per cent and car crime down by 10.8 per cent.

Response times are also on target with 85 per cent of all calls to the police getting a response within 15 minutes.

Marlow Town Councillor Frank Sweatman said the increase in burglaries was a matter for concern.

But he added: "There has been a definite improvement of policing in the town. We have two beat officers and that is good news."

Anyone with information about crime in the Marlow area should contact Marlow police station on (01628) 816920