The popular image of the burglar has him sneaking cat-like over roofs or dashing into the waiting getaway car - but in York the bicycle is becoming his favourite means of transport.

This fortnight's crime map shows the locations of 19 burglaries which took place in the north-east of York in only ten days and police believe a sighting of a man fleeing the scene of one break-in on a bike may be a useful lead.

Acting detective inspector Phil Roberts, of York crime intelligence, said: "We are seeing more burglars using bikes as a means of transport - it appears to be part of a growing trend.

"It means they can outpace anyone on foot and evade police cars by escaping down narrow alleys and passageways."

Once the problem of carrying their haul away aboard a bike might have deterred them but thieves have now got wise to the danger of being caught carrying stolen goods.

"They have realised that carrying a video under their arm is going to make them vulnerable," said acting DI Roberts

"What we are also finding is that less and less thieves will keep the stolen property in their own home.

"There is still a holding period between the property being stolen and finding someone who wants to buy it, but it's rare the thief will store it where it can be linked to them.

"They will find an empty house and hide it in the garden or shed.

"We also know stolen goods will be hidden in the immediate area and the thieves themselves may never come back to retrieve them.

"What they will do is find someone who wants a particular item, do a deal and then tell that person to collect the item from its hiding place."

Cash, personal items and electrical goods were stolen from homes in the recent spate of burglaries and police warned that some of the houses had proved soft targets because doors and windows had been left open.

The bicycle-riding suspect for the Sycamore Terrace burglary is described as a white male, aged in his mid-20s who is about 5ft 8in tall.

He was wearing a dark, denim jacket and jeans.

Anyone who has information about these crimes should contact York police on (01904) 631321 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

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