Selby blitz on home raids

Some 300 homes in the Selby area have been broken into in the last 12 months - and in more than a third of cases, thieves gained entry via windows and doors that were not locked.

From next Monday, every victim will be given a "beat the burglar" information pack, including advice on home security and a special pen to mark their property.

It also warns that once a house has been broken into, it is four times more likely to be burgled again.

Police will hand out similar packs to victims' neighbours, pointing out that, after a raid, their homes are also at greater risk of being burgled.

Selby district commander, Inspector David Hunt, said householders had an important role to play in stemming the rising tide of break-ins.

He said the targeting of homes that had already been burgled was not "shutting the stable door after the horse had bolted", but more a case of slamming the door shut and keeping it shut.

He said: "Homes that have been burgled once are more vulnerable and the aim is to make them less attractive to offenders so they don't become repeat victims.

"In 34 per cent of local break-ins, the offender will gain entry through an insecure window or door, so the householder clearly has a responsibility as well.

"They must look to their security and make life difficult for the burglar."

The new initiative was launched jointly by the police and Selby District Community Safety Group, with the help of government cash.

A survey of 5,500 Selby area households revealed their main concern was the fear of crime and Insp Hunt said that house burglaries were now top of his priority list.

He said: "They are extremely serious crimes and the impact on victims is devastating."

He said it was the first of a series of initiatives aimed at reducing burglaries.

They were also planning a number of conferences for Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinators, involving security surveys of homes.

Updated: 16:36 Friday, January 10, 2003