Police help residents beat burglars (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Police help residents beat burglars

1:38pm Monday 11th May 2009 in Drighlington

Around 1,000 residents have received a knock on the door from police officers offering advice to beat burglars.

People living in Drighlington and Churwell have been visited by members of Morley Neighbourhood Policing Team, who arrived unannounced to test security by trying door handles and windows to see if they were unlocked.

A total of 32 homes were found to have insecure front or rear doors, including one property where the occupant had left their keys on the outside of the door and had gone out.

Residents who were in at the time of the visits received crime prevention advice from police community support officers.

Inspector Joanne O’Hare, who leads the Morley Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “The warmer weather tends to see a rise in burglaries, especially sneak-in burglaries.

“We’ve targeted a wide area this weekend including neighbourhoods which can be prime targets for burglars and are keen to get crime prevention messages across to ensure that local people do not become a victim of burglary.

“Simple actions such as making sure doors and windows are locked when you go out, and ensuring bicycles, lawn mowers and other gardening equipment are locked away in your shed will help keep your valuables safe this summer.”