IF YOU play sports in York, police have urged you to be more vigilant, following a spate of thefts in the city.

North Yorkshire Police said changing rooms at sports clubs in York, Poppleton, and at both York St John University and The University Of York, have been targeted by thieves.

The most recent incident took place Wednesday, November 8, when a man was found inside the changing rooms at York Sports Club in Clifton Park, believed to be looking for items to steal.

On Saturday, November 3, a wallet was stolen from the changing rooms at Poppleton Community Centre, and between the September 24 and 30, sports changing rooms at the University of York and York St John University were targeted, leading to cash and other valuables being stolen.

Police said phones, cash, wallets and bank cards were stolen in a further eight reports during April and May, and revealed one man had been arrested in connection with the offences.

The suspect was described as a man in his mid-thirties, with short dark brown hair wearing sports clothing, and was believed to be driving a blue 05 plate Vauxhall Tigra.

Detective Constable Tom Copeland of North Yorkshire Police’s Intelligence Unit said the suspect was released under investigation, and officers were now working to establish whether all the burglaries are linked.

Det Con Copeland said: "Following a spate of burglaries in the summer where sports clubs changing rooms were targeted a pattern has recently re-emerged.

"We would urge sports clubs in the York area to be extra vigilant and pass this message onto their members and to visiting teams so that appropriate security and crime prevention measures can be implemented. Any suspicious sightings should be reported to the police."

Anyone with information should phone North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option two and ask for Tom Copeland or email tom.copeland@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk

Alternatively, phone Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111, quoting reference 12180208943.