A rapid repair squad for burglary victims is set to treble in strength thanks to a £200,000 boost.

The cash will give Bradford's SPEED team four new workers, allow it to beef up security at hundreds of homes and branch out into other fields of crime fighting.

Since its launch two years ago, SPEED - Securing Property Effectively, Economically and Daily - has been called to more than 1,700 burgled households.

Once on site, the team fix damage and install anti-crime measures to prevent repeat attacks.

The group has been awarded £190,000 from the district's four Anti-Crime Partnerships with a further £19,700 coming from the Newlands Single Regeneration Budget Partnership Board. The cash means it can take on two new carpenters/glaziers as well as two new trainees.

The funds will also pay for two new vans and allow SPEED to branch out into others fields such as proactive work, launching Neighbourhood Watches and organising crime prevention roadshows. SPEED's new Project Manager, Steve Carter, highlighted that none of those victims already helped by the group had suffered repeat break-ins. "There have been a number of attempt break-ins but the quality of the security installed has meant thieves have not been successful," he said.

"This extra money will now allow us to improve security at 1,700 properties in the four main areas of the Bradford district."

The team has improved 70 homes at Keighley's Highfield estate and its work in the Newlands area of Bradford has seen burglary levels plummet by 26 per cent.

Working with the police, SPEED will be monitor crime hot-spots and proactively beef up security at those most vulnerable to burglars.

"We are also bringing in experienced staff who can look at the broader issues of youth crime, drugs-related offences and burglary reduction. We hope SPEED can broaden its outlook in reducing crime," said Mr Carter.

Chief Superintendent Phil Read, divisional commander of Bradford North and managing director of SPEED, said: "I hope the project will continue to have similar successes so we can to continue to reduce burglary. We also hope this project will continue to grow so we can cover the whole district and make it much safer for everyone."