A huge cut in domestic burglaries in York this month has been hailed as a success for local police who are actively targeting known offenders.

Figures revealed today show in seven days last week there were 15 burglaries across the city - compared to more than 60 in the same period last year.

But officers added that many of the remaining break-ins could easily have been prevented.

Also today, officers in the North Yorkshire Police western area launched their own major blitz on burglaries, aimed at reducing the trauma for people who may be repeatedly targeted by criminals.

The initiative is aimed at combating a national trend for burglary victims to be subject to a repeat offence within four weeks. The York figures will be seen as a positive start to the force's goal of cutting the number of domestic burglaries by 44 per cent over the next five years.

But community safety officer PC Jim Shanks, working with the Safer York Partnership, said even fewer York residents would have been victims if they had taken simple precautions.

He added: "In many of these crimes the offenders entered through unlocked doors and in some cases while people were at home. It is vital that people secure their doors even if they are sitting in their front room watching television, and they should ensure that they check their doors and windows before they go to bed."

He advised residents to keep ground floor windows locked when possible to keep burglars out as summer approaches.

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