Free alarms have been fitted to the homes of elderly and disabled people in Warsop and on the Ladybrook Estate.

Mansfield District council said because of the success of the scheme, it is now being extended to a further 360 homes.

In some parts of the district, the fitting of the alarms has seen the number of burglaries slashed by almost 80%.

People who have previously been victims of crime have also benefited from the alarms.

A team of uniformed wardens was recruited to install the alarms.

The Council said the ultimate aim of the �1m scheme is to cut burglaries by a quarter in the five Neighbourhood Renewal areas of West Titchfield, Bull Farm, Ladybrook, Warsop and Northfield.

The Chief Executive of Mansfield District Council, Richard Goad, said: "Feeling safe and secure in your own home is a basic human right, and one that we should never lose sight of.

"The difference that this scheme has made to people's lives is incredible."