A POLICE initiative has been stepped up to stem an expected rise in burglary during the darker winter evenings.

North Yorkshire Police have dedicated a team of officers under Operation Haven, the force’s year-long burglary reduction campaign, to target and bring to justice burglars targeting homes in York and North Yorkshire.

Police say since the operation was launched in May the force has seen a ten per cent reduction in burglars but say they want to improve on that figure.

Detective Chief Inspector Heather Pearson said the operation will focus on travelling criminals who come into the county to commit burglaries, with cross-border patrols and increased local patrols now being deployed.

Police will also target known hotspots as well as keeping a watchful eye on previous persistent offenders who have recently been released from prison.