ALL victims of house burglary and their immediate neighbours will be visited and provided with crime prevention packs as part of a new initiative being rolled out across West Yorkshire, the county's police force has said.

According to West Yorkshire Police, the We Don't Buy Crime scheme will ensure every victim of house burglary is personally visited and given a pack which includes advice and forensic marking products to help them protect their property.

Nearby neighbours will also be provided with packs which include similar crime prevention advice and UV marking pens.

The packs also include window stickers which residents can use to show that they have taken additional steps to protect their homes. 

The scheme is being funded with money from the Home Office's Safer Streets Fund. 

Chief Inspector Andy Thornton, of West Yorkshire Police, said: "A person's home is somewhere they should feel safe.

"We are determined to do all we can to prevent burglary offences and ensure that when they do occur, we are working with communities to gather evidence and ensure the person responsible is caught. 

"Burglars get to know areas and will often return to the same neighbourhood to commit offences.

"The We Don't Buy Crime initiative means that we are not just offering crime prevention advice to the victim but also to their neighbours, keeping them more informed and aware of what they can do to protect their own homes and valuables."

As part of the We Don't Buy Crime initiative, work is also being done with second-hand stores to instruct them to check for forensic and UV markings when accepting items for sale.

All officers now carry UV torches so that they can make checks on property as well. 

"We want to put burglars out of business by making it harder for stolen goods to be sold on," Chf Insp Thornton added. 

"We are providing UV torches to second-hand stores and helping them to protect themselves from being involved in potentially handling stolen property."

There is a district crime prevention team in each of the five policing areas of West Yorkshire.

These consist of officers who are trained in crime prevention and supporting front-line police in coming up with solutions to local concerns.

For more information about the district crime prevention teams and to find out how to contact them, visit www.westyorkshire.police.uk/advice/our-services/crime-prevention/contact-us