York police and the Safer York Partnership are urging students and local people to be more security conscious after they found 29 insecure properties during an operation in York last night.

As part of a week-long national campaign targeting burglary, officers from York Safer Neighbourhood Team and the Special Constabulary targeted properties in the east of York following a number of sneak-in burglaries at students’ houses.

The operation was supported by the Safer York Partnership and “Burglar Bill” to raise awareness of the importance of basic security measures such as locking your doors.

Sergeant Andrew Godfrey of York Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: “There was a very serious message behind this operation. Sneak-in burglaries – which is where opportunist thieves target unlocked doors and windows – account for around a third of all burglaries reported to the police.

“Simple measures can be taken to stop these happening. We know security is the last thing on students’ minds, but it is important to get the message across about the basic measures they can take.

“Thieves are on the look out for items left on view, unlocked doors, open windows and properties left in darkness. So please make their lives as difficult as possible by following our top security tips.”

Jane Mowat of the Safer York Partnership, added: “We are pleased to be supporting this initiative and we can’t stress enough the importance of securing your property.”

Follow our top security tips

• • Take you valuables home with you when you leave for the holidays
• • Always lock your accommodation – whether it’s the main door or your bedroom door.
• • Make sure you have strong locks on your doors
• • Fit timer switches to lights if you are going to be out during the hours of darkness, if a property looks occupied, it is less likely to burgled
• • Remember to set timer switches to come on when you are away during holidays
• • Don’t leave valuable items on view where opportunist thieves can see them through windows and doors
• • Lock your door if you are in halls, even if you are only going down the corridor
• • Make sure that main entrance doors shut behind you and don’t let other people in with you
• • Don’t advertise your expensive Christmas presents by leaving packaging outside for all to see
• • Get home contents insurance. You may be able to extend your parents’ home insurance policy for no extra cost. Alternatively, many insurance companies have competitive deals for students