A SOUTHAMPTON pensioner who has been the target of a catalogue of crimes can feel safe in his own home for the first time in a year after being given a free top-of-the-range alarm system.

Frank Lavington, 96, has been the victim of 18 crimes in the last 12 months, including burglaries, arson and criminal damage.

The hard of hearing, partially-sighted war veteran, who lives alone in the Maybush area, had his hearing aid stolen in one of the burglaries, along with £10 worth of pennies he had been saving to give to charity.

He lost his one hobby of pottering about in his shed after most of his tools were destroyed in an arson attack. The remainder were stolen in a later burglary. His fence has been constantly ripped down and windows to his conservatory repeatedly smashed.

But members of the community have now rallied around to help Mr Lavington after hearing of his plight.

Officers from Southampton's burglary investigation unit clubbed together to buy him some new tools as well as sweets and chocolates. And, after reading about Mr Lavington's nightmare year in the Daily Echo, security company JTL Security, offered to donate and install a £500 alarm system for free.

Jason Lomax, director of the South Wales-based firm, which has a branch in West End, said: "We wanted to give him an alarm system to try and prevent him being burgled again."

Mr Lavington said: "It's very generous of them. It might make me feel a bit safer and help to put a stop to these things."

Two boys aged 14 and 15 have been arrested and charged with 15 of the 18 crimes.