Burglary is a scourge.

It's heartening to learn Northumbria Police are being proactive when it comes to crime.

Suspected burglars across the North East have today been targeted by police in a series of early morning raids.

The initiative formed part of burglary action day, run by Northumberland area command, which aims to reduce burglaries and coincides with the onset of darker nights.

Thanks in part to this proactive approach Northumbria Police can boast the lowest burglary and robbery rates per 1,000 head of population when compared with similar forces nationwide.

But thankfully, Northumbria police are not complacent and is seeking to reduce offences further.

Burglary is a crime which can bring real heartache with items which mean nothing to the criminal but everything to the victim being targeted.

The police have done their bit, now it's over to the courts.

Price is justified

TODAY up to two million workers will receive a pay rise as the minimum wage increases by 35p an hour.

And for the first time, this legislation will cover home workers, who in the past have been paid as little as 73p an hour.

The minimum wage has gone a long way to protecting workers from exploitation without affecting employment or the economy. Today's extension is welcome news.