SECRET CCTV cameras are being installed in homes across a crime-ridden part of York in an effort to beat a burglary blitz.

In the South Bank area of the city, house break-ins have soared to more than three a week - with 52 between April and the end of August. Now police and the Safer York Partnership hope they can catch the criminals red-handed by installing the hidden cameras, which take high-quality digital images.

The operation will be supported by a poster campaign highlighting the fact that cameras are operating in South Bank.

Local neighbourhood police officer Dave White said: "South Bank has a poor burglary rate compared to some other areas of the city.

"It is criss-crossed with a network of interconnecting alleys, making it easier for burglars to move around without attracting attention."

In the frame

HIDDEN CCTV cameras have been installed in the homes of potential burglary victims in part of York.

The cameras and recording equipment have been set up in homes in South Bank to catch burglars red-handed, after a recent spate of burglaries.

The cameras provide high quality digital images which can capture criminals in the act of burgling homes without them suspecting their activities are being recorded by police.

Local neighbourhood police officer Dave White said: "South Bank has a poor burglary rate compared to some other areas of the city.

"It is criss-crossed with a network of interconnecting alleys, giving access to the rear of the many terraced houses in the district. This means it is easier for burglars to move around without attracting attention"

Crime analysts working for North Yorkshire Police and Safer York Partnership have worked together to identify specific areas of South Bank where burglars are most likely to strike.

PC White said: "The analysis shows us not only the locations in South Bank where burglars operate most frequently, but also the types of houses they prefer to target.

"We have used this information to help us decide where to install the cameras and we are very grateful to the residents who have allowed us to use their homes."

Safer York Partnership boss Jane Mowat said a burglary task group looked at where in the city burglary was prevalent, and examined the ways it could be reduced.

She said City of York Council, North Yorkshire Police and Safer York Partnership had enjoyed considerable success in bringing burglary down in the city, but continued to work tirelessly to tackle the locations that remain vulnerable.

The operation will be supported by a poster campaign highlighting the fact that cameras are operating in South Bank. Posters will be displayed in shops and public buildings and in the custody suite at Fulford police station so that word will spread among the criminal community.

Inspector Richard Crinnion, of the York neighbourhood policing team, said: "The systems have been installed and we intend that they will remain in place for some time. They provide a level of surveillance 24 hours a day, seven days a week which we could never hope to match using police staff.

"I want every burglar who thinks about breaking into someone's home in South Bank to know that we have these cameras."

The undercover scheme that hides CCTV cameras in the homes of potential victims of crime comes after the number of burglaries in the area soared to more than three a week. There were 52 burglaries in South Bank between April 1 and August 31 this year.

The Press told in July 2004 how a similar project which saw a number of South Bank properties fitted with covert surveillance cameras had cut the number of burglaries by 76 per cent.