Police warn of burglars on the prowl in Sheffield

This picture illustrates a home break in at night through a back door from inside the residence.

South Yorkshire Police has issued the advice following an increase in break-ins across Sheffield, with offences and attempted raids reported in Loxley, Halfway, Mosborough, Dore and Handsworth.

Temporary Detective Inspector John Wheaton said: “I would like to ask residents to ensure they hide any valuables from view, in particular car keys and house keys.

“Don’t become an easy target for thieves - ensure items are well hidden and that your property is secure.

“Thieves have recently made attempts to target high value cars, so I am also advising anyone who has a garage to make use of it and leave their vehicle in a locked garage overnight.

“We are committed to identifying these offenders and holding them responsible for these intrusive crimes.

“We have already arrested and charged one 26-year-old man from the Arbourthorne area for driving a stolen vehicle in relation to one of the offences.

“I would ask anyone who notices anything suspicious in their area to call police and report it to us straight away.”

TDI Wheaton has issued some security advice to help reduce the risk of homes being broken into.

“Secure your property - replace any locks if necessary and ensure your doors and windows are locked,” he said.

“Don’t leave valuables on display, this includes car keys and house keys.

“Be alert of suspicious activity - if you see anything suspicious, call 101 to report it to police. Always call 999 in an emergency.

“Protect your valuables - register any valuables you have on immobilise.com to increase your chances of getting them back if they are lost or stolen.”