A �55,000 package of measures to combat burglary, including alleygating and SmartWater, was agreed by councillors last night.

Though Redbridge has seen a 9.8 per cent fall in residential burglaries in April to July compared with last year, instances of the crime have increased in the borough year on year since 2007.

In 2011/12, Redbridge was the third worst borough for residential burglaries in London.

The extra initiatives, additional to the borough’s basic burglary action plan, include introducing gates at the sides and rears of homes to deter burglars.

SmartWater forensic water marking kits will be distributed in burglary hotspots and to previous victims of burglary.

�40,000 will be spent on both measures, which were agreed at the cabinet meeting in Redbridge Town Hall, High Road, Ilford.

Cllr Shoaib Patel, the cabinet member for community safety, partnership and enforcement, said: “This is a package that will help police in autumn and winter months when we usually see a spike in burglaries.

“I’m very pleased to be presenting it to cabinet.”

SmartWater has led to reductions in burglary rates of between 40 and 94 per cent in other areas, according to a council report.

�10,000 will be spent on a scheme to support repeat victims of burglaries and �5,000 will go on a covert CCTV car.