BURGLARS are using blowtorches to melt uPVC doors and steal keys to expensive cars. 

Police are urging people to be vigilant following a spate of break-ins. Since February this year, 35 homes, sheds and outbuildings have been burgled. Eight of those burglaries involved criminals using a blowtorch on a uPVC door to expose the lock and then gain access to the property.
Properties have been targeted in the Sutton-in-Craven and Crosshills areas of North Yorkshire, but similar incidents have also been reported over the border in Bradford and Keighley. 

In most cases, the properties burgled have had an expensive car on the driveway and thieves have gained access to the property and gone on to take the car keys and make off with the vehicle.

Julie McCulloch, from the Ingrow area of Keighley, has hit out at the culprits after her home was targeted at some point between late Wednesday night and early yesterday morning.

Thankfully they left empty-handed but she said she had been left “shaken up” by what happened. Shocking pictures show the charred, melted remains of the door handle.

Mrs McCulloch, 50, said she believes their house was hit after those responsible spotted her son’s new Audi A3, which he has had less than a week. 
“They are just horrible,” she said. “It’s awful. I’m shaken up, but relieved they didn’t get in.”

The security light was also cut and Mrs McCulloch had to take a day off work and will have to pay an insurance excess. She said she believed a home in Wilsden had also been targeted on the same evening. 

Police confirmed the incident had been recorded and Detective Chief Inspector Andy Howard, of Bradford District Police, said: “We are aware of similar incidents in Bradford District where a blowtorch or similar has been used to breach locks on doors. 

“While we do not believe this is currently an issue in any particular area of the district we would ask for people to be vigilant and to make sure their homes are secure.” 

Meanwhile, Craven Inspector Geoff Crocker said: “I want to reassure the public that we are doing everything we can to apprehend the criminals who are committing these crimes. We are actively targeting the border we share with West Yorkshire and my officers are carrying out high visibility patrols. Our investigations are ongoing to locate those responsible and bring them to justice.

“However, communities defeat crime by working together. 

“Let’s make it as hard as possible for these criminals to target our area. That’s why I am appealing to the public to report any suspicious behaviour they witness to police on 101, or in the case of an emergency via 999. I would also recommend that residents review their home security arrangements and consider having snapsafe locks fitted to external doors front, back and patio doors.”