With improved weather on the cards for this weekend, police are advising residents to secure their property while enjoying the outdoors.

Warmer weather means more people will be out in the garden and are likely to risk leaving doors, windows and outbuildings open.

Sneak-in burglaries increase during the spring and summer months and police are urging residents to keep opportunist thieves at bay by remembering to lock doors and windows at all times.

For detailed crime prevention advice, including a security self assessment, click here

You can also download here the Polices free “Securing your home iBook” for lots more advice or their free mobile phone “app” by clicking here

Detective Superintendent Heather Pearson, who heads North Yorkshire Police’s burglary crackdown, Operation Haven, said: “It takes seconds to lock your doors and secure your outbuildings, just as it takes seconds for a thief to sneak into your property and take whatever they can lay their hands on. Always remember to lock up and hide your valuables from view – even if you’re just washing the car or cutting the grass.

“Being a victim of sneak-in burglary can have both emotional and financial impacts. Goods can be costly to replace and your insurance company may refuse to pay out if you have not locked your door.

“Phones, cameras and laptops often hold information with sentimental value, which cannot be replaced.”

Det Supt Pearson added: “By taking a few simple precautions which don’t cost anything, you can help prevent a lot of distress, inconvenience and financial loss.”

Whether you’re outside gardening, enjoying a barbeque or hanging out the washing, get into the habit of always locking your door behind you.

Remember to put away your tools in a secure building or shed. Not only could they be stolen, but they can be used by burglars to enter your property.

Always remember to dispose of packaging for expensive items such as TVs and computer equipment properly. Don’t advertise what is in your house.

You can register your property on www.immobilise.com so that if it is stolen and recovered by the police it can then be returned to you.

Anyone with information about burglaries or suspicious activity in your neighbourhood or surrounding area, should not hesitate to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 1, and speak to the Force Control Room.

Information can also be passed on anonymously to Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111.

If you see a crime in progress, always dial 999.

Basic crime prevention advice
• Remember to lock all your doors and windows when you are in the garden
• Hide all your valuables – including car keys – away from prying eyes.
• Remove all tools, ladders and other implements from your garden as these can be used to break into your property
• Review your boundary security, make sure your gates and fences are in good condition and that outbuildings, sheds and gates have sturdy locks.
• Be nosey – report any suspicious people or vehicles in your neighbourhood. Many crimes are thwarted and people arrested after members of the public report unusual or suspicious activity to the police.
• Review your locks, upgrade your Euro-cylinder locks to one that is specifically designed to prevent lock snapping, known as Break Secure.
• Add up the value of all your belongings, then work out how much you spend on keeping them secure.