CONVICTED criminals have been enlisted by police to help combat burglary.

West Yorkshire Police has been working with convicted burglars to advise people on how they can take simple steps to avoid being a victim this summer.

The Force's crime prevention campaign focuses on advice straight from the offender's mouth which people can take to make their homes less appealing to criminals.

Burglaries in the county are down with 269 fewer victims in the 12 months up to the end of March.

A quarter of burglaries in West Yorkshire are a result of people entering a house through an unlocked door or window.

A series of crime prevention cards that give simple advice and tips are to be distributed by Crime Prevention Officers and Neighbourhood Policing Teams across West Yorkshire and will be available online.

Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Paul Money said: "Reducing burglary remains one of the Force's key priorities and we are committed to bringing offenders to justice."