Police have reported a burglary-free 24 hours in the Keighley division - which includes Keighley, Ilkley, Shipley and Baildon.

Detective Inspector Trevor Gasson credits the good news to pro-active policing and crime reduction work carried out in recent months.

He said between 7am on Thursday and 7am yesterday no burglaries had been reported in the division.

"We put this down to a mixture of initiatives including our crime reduction information which we have been giving out in various areas.

"And to the targeting of the 20 per cent of criminals who we know commit 50 per cent of the crime." But, he said, the public still had to remain vigilant and also aware thieves changed their methods.

A typical example was an attempted theft of a Subaru from the driveway of a house in Springfield Road, Baildon, on Monday, at 8pm.

The offender rocked the car to set off the alarm and waited for the owner to come out and check the problem.

"He went back in the house, but then left his keys in the kitchen. The offender then sneaked into the house, took the keys and attempted to take the car.

"The alarm sounded again and the owner went out and saw the car rolling down the drive. The offender saw him and ran of," said Det Insp Gasson.

He said thieves were always looking for new ways to commit crime and stressed people should always remember to keep their vehicle keys in a safe place, away from easy reach by a sneak-in thief.

"If a car alarm goes off, be vigilant. Don't go out but see if people are hanging around. If they are telephone the police," he added.

The offender was described as aged about 16, 5ft 9ins tall, thin and clean shaven.

He had collar length dark brown/black hair with a fringe and he was wearing white trainers, dark jeans and a dark coloured top with a hood.

Anyone with information should telephone Keighley police on (01535) 617083.