Humberside Police have issued warning letters to 500 Driffield residents following a string of nine burglaries over a 36 hour period in the town.
Highfield Avenue, Lockwood Street, Wold View Road, St John’s Road and The Mount, Driffield were targeted by thieves between Sunday 28 and Monday 29 July.
Another offence took place at the same time in Cranswick.
All of the homes were entered through windows that had been left ajar or unlocked overnight.
The letter, signed by DCI Paul Kirby, was delivered to residents on Tuesday by police officers on patrol and offered advice to residents about keeping their homes secure.
Paul said: “All nines homes had either left a window or door ajar or unlocked overnight. At the very least make sure all windows and doors are locked when you leave the room – even if it is just for a few minutes.
Keep valuables out of sight - the Driffield burglar has stolen handbags, jewellery, laptops, iPads, iPods, cash, playstation and games.”
Residents have been urged to:
*Hide purses and handbags and don’t leave cash lying around.
*Make sure you have your postcode and house number marked on your property with UV marker pens or similar. Property marking is a deterrent.
*Record serial numbers, makes and model numbers of all items on www.Immobilise.com
*Be aware who is in your neighbourhood and contact the Police if you are concerned on 101 or 999 in an emergency.
One offence took place in Cranswick between 11pm on Sunday 28 July and 6.20am on Monday 29 July. Thieves entered the house through an open window, taking a handbag. A purse was recovered, however, cash and cards were missing.
Between 9.30am on 27 July and 3pm on 29 July an attempted burglary was made on Highfield Avenue, Driffield. Offenders entered the back garden of the property and made their way into a utility room after breaking a double-glazed glass window, however, they were unable to gain entry into the rest of the house.
A house on Wold View Road, Driffield was also targeted by opportunist thieves between 9.45pm on Sunday 28 July and 5.40am on Monday 29 July.
The property was entered through a bay window which had been left open overnight. A laptop bag and baby changing bag were stolen - the baby changing bag has since been recovered.
Laura Gawthorpe, Media Officer for Humberside Police said: “During this offence everybody in the house was upstairs with baby.
“We do urge people, if you have to nip upstairs, even for a second please do lock windows and doors - most burglaries take place within the space of two minutes and thieves can get through a window as small as the size of your head. It really is important to keep all windows and doors locked.”
Two houses on St John’s Road were also hit during the crime spree, one of which was broken into between 10.30am on Sunday 28 July and 6.15am on Monday 29 July.
Access was gained to the house through a conservatory window which had been left open. Among the items stolen were a handbag containing cash and bank cards and an iPad.
Between 1am and 1.30am a house on Lockwood Street was targeted. The semi-detached house was entered though a single-glazed window on the side of the house. A laptop and a man’s watch were among the items stolen.
Laura added: “The occupant of this house was alerted when the dog barked at 1.30am but we did not receive a call until 8.30am - we urge people to call us as soon as they can and then we stand a far better chance of catching who is responsible.”
Between 10pm on 28 July and 3.30am on 29 July a house on The Mount was also hit when thieves reached through a window, taking an iPod left on a stand overnight.
“The burglars didn’t even enter this property - we have advised people to keep valuables hidden as thieves are taking small items that are easy to carry and easy to sell on.
“Take your handbags to bed with you and keep your wallets and valuables upstairs,” Laura said.
Other incidents reported involve attempted burglaries and suspicious activity.
Following the distribution of the letters the police have received two calls with information on the burglaries.
Police have made one arrest connected with these crimes and the suspect has been released on bail - it is believed more than one person is connected to the burglaries.
Laura Gawthorpe said: “We are convinced there is more than one person connected to this - it is highly unlikely that one person could take these items, store them somewhere and go on to do it again and again and again.”
DCI Paul Kirby added: “Driffield is a safe and wonderful place to live, and we want to keep it that way. I need all residents to be the eyes and ears and ring the police if you see anything suspicious.
I would rather take 100 calls with little pieces of information than take the call saying you have been burgled.
If anyone has information about the recent burglaries or other burglaries that have been committed in the community, please c If you would like further advice on crime prevention please contact your local PCSO by ringing 101.”