POLICE are urging residents in York to make sure their garden sheds are secure.

It comes after police received a number of reports of suspicious activity around sheds in New Earswick in the early hours of Sunday.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said: "Officers responded immediately and carried out an area search, although no one was located. Enquiries are ongoing, reassurance patrols are being conducted in the area.

"Residents are being urged to review their outbuilding security arrangements. Consider external lighting and shed alarms, ensure doors and gates are kept locked, and all valuable items should be security-marked."

He added: "It’s not clear that anything was broken into at this stage."

Inspector Lee Pointon, of York Outer Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: "Marking your property is one of the most effective ways to protect yourself from being a victim of crime, and we carry out regular tool marking events in York."