Police cracking down on burglars

Sergeant Michael Bowden of the Valley West North Neighbourhood Policing Team said by following some simple steps residents can greatly reduce their chances of becoming a burglary victim.

“We are doing what we can to reduce burglary levels and it is clear that is having an impact but we can make an even greater impact if people follow our simple advice,” he said.

“A lot of burglaries in the area are committed by opportunistic criminals who are on the look out for easy pickings.

“They will try doors and windows and if they find one that is unlocked they will sneak into your property and make off with your treasured possessions in a matter of seconds.

“So by simply keeping your doors and windows locked - even when you are in the house - you are greatly reducing your chances of being a victim as criminals will simply move on elsewhere.

“If everyone followed that one piece of simple advice then burglary rates would fall still further.

“Sneak in burglaries tend to happen more in the summer months when you might be out in the back garden - so you can’t hear or see the front door or window being opened. That’s an open invite to a burglar to be in and out of your house. It does literally only take a minute for someone to be in and out - but it also only takes a minute to lock your doors and windows.

“It is best to get into the habit of always locking your door behind you, for example when you return from work.

“Other advice includes keeping valuables out of sight and having a chain on the door.”

For further crime prevention advice visit: www.westyorkshire.police.uk/crimeprevention