West Yorkshire Police is urging people to lock all their doors and windows whenever they leave their homes after officers dealt with 100 reported burglaries in just one week.
The force says it was inundated with reports of burglaries and attempted burglaries in Leeds between Sunday, July 28 and Sunday, August 4, when people left doors and windows open during a spell of warm weather.
Nearly half (45) were deemed to be 'sneak in offences' - where the offender got through an unlocked door or window.
In 38 per cent of the ‘sneak in’ offences a vehicle was stolen from the property.
Chief Inspector Dan Wood said: "We don’t have a particular problem with burglaries in Leeds, but the recent warm weather means residents are leaving doors and windows insecure and so there has been an increase in offending of this type.
"Would-be burglars will often look for the easiest way to get into a property, whether that’s through an open downstairs window or a patio door being left open.
“It’s important to make it as hard as possible for them to get into your property by ensuring doors and windows are locked.
“Police in Leeds continue to work hard to reduce the number of burglaries and deter them from happening, but the public can help us by keeping their properties secure at all times.”
The force is also urging people to avoid leaving valuables such as car keys, mobile phones and handbags near windows and consider installing alarms.
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