COPS and robbers will swap places tomorrow as an unusual sight comes to the streets of South Bucks.

Neighbourhood officers from Chesham police are launching an anti-burglary initiative in burglary hotspots – dressed in the distinctive black and white stripes of the fiendish thieves.

Police intend to show unsuspecting residents how they might be targeted by burglars and give tips on how to stay safe and protect their homes.

Sergeant James Ellis said: “We decided to do something with a bit of a twist and to do it dressing police officers in burglar uniforms with striped tops and give residents a chance to become mock victims of crime.

“As the nights draw are closing in, burglars use the powers of darkness to cover their nefarious deeds.

“We aiming to be ahead of the game and give homeowners the chance to avoid becoming a victim again or a potential victim in future.”

Sgt Ellis said the force will be using ‘peak seasonal trend analysis’ to identify the areas most at risk of crime.

Officers will take a tour of people’s properties and point out the weak spots that thieves could use to gain entry.

It is hoped that by carrying out the high visibility exercise – rather than simply a written checklist – residents will be spurred on to take action before they are targeted.

Sgt Ellis said: “Over the course of the last few years we have identified roads and particular house numbers where there seems to be a pattern of addresses being targeted more than once by burglars.

“This day of action is not limited to Chesham officers and we will be drafting in colleagues from other areas.”

Tomorrow’s initiative will start around 3pm tomorrow, and will take place in streets including Brockhurst Road and Hampden Avenue.

Officers will tweet info and highlights from @TVP_Chiltern throughout the operation.