POLICE are using high-tech equipment, including surveillance cameras and tracking equipment, to catch burglars thanks to a £2 million cash boost from the Government.

The money, from the Securing Homes programme, was allocated to 16 forces across the country to buy technology to improve burglary detection.

North Yorkshire Police received £100,000 of the cash pot.

Items purchased included automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) systems, tracking equipment, forensic scanners, intruder alarms, CCTV and property marking kits. Equipment is being used for both overt and covert police operations.

Detective Chief Superintendent Richard Mann who heads North Yorkshire Police’s crime directorate, said: “The extra funding is a welcome boost to our crime prevention and detection strategy. The cash has enabled the force to invest further in both covert and overt policing tools.

“One of which is a high-tech system enabling the rapid electronic transfer of fingerprint marks left at a crime scene to our fingerprint bureau at headquarters.

“These can then be quickly checked against the national fingerprint data-base.

“This optimises our ability to quickly identify suspects and make very early arrests, maximising the opportunities to recover any stolen property, obtain other evidence and prevent further offences.”

Home Office Minister Alan Campbell said: “Burglary has fallen by 54 per cent since 1997 and these are encouraging signs that our pro-active approach to crimes like burglary is having an impact.

“However, we can still do more and this funding is just one part of a wider strategy to ensure this downward trend continues.

“This new equipment will not only help police catch the criminals who harm communities, it will help prevent crime as well. Once burglars realise the home they’re breaking into might be covered by hidden cameras they might start to think twice.

“Alongside this funding we are securing 60,000 homes across the country against burglary and through our Vigilance Programme are tightening the net on known offenders in 35 areas.”