A COUNCILLOR has urged police to take more action after a “concerning and significant increase” in the number of burglaries in Bingley.

Councillor Simon Cooke, who represents the Bingley Rural ward as well as leading the Conservative group on Bradford Council, said there have been eight burglaries in a fortnight in two villages in his ward, and it seems to be happening almost daily across Bingley.

He met with officers from West Yorkshire Police yesterday to work towards an increased police presence in the area to try to stop the spate of crimes.

He said: “I have had the conversation with the police and urged them to do more and have a bigger presence.

“There will be some additional work on the streets and behind the scenes which is good.

“It is a real concern we are seeing a significant increase in burglaries - not all are successful but it is a massive increase on normal numbers.”

Beverley Ford, of Grange Park Road, Bingley, said she is going to have to increase security at her home after she had her BMW stolen from her drive earlier this month.

Mrs Ford, 61, said: “It is unbelievable what is happening at the moment, every day there are one or two break-ins happening.

“A group has now been set up for the community to try and be more vigilant.

“On September 1, the burglars used mole-grips to try and get into my patio doors, but they were also locked from the inside, so they used a boulder to smash through my front door, before going through my drawers to get my keys. I saw the security light on and heard the tyres screech away as they took my new BMW.

“My granddaughter is staying with me now and she is petrified it might happen again.”

Mrs Ford said the “brazen” thieves are using a range of tools for the attacks, and has spoken to a number of residents about it.

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“They have tried to blowtorch the locks of some people’s doors, and have also used mole-grips,” she added. “It is happening every night.”

A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police said: “We received a call at around 1.30am on Friday, September 1. Inquiries are continuing, and we are appealing for witnesses.”