LOWER VALLEY: Police are urging householders to carry out basic crime prevention advice to reduce the chances of becoming a burglary victim.

They say now is the time to get into the habit of locking doors and windows as it gets warmer and is lighter for longer. Inspector Mohammed Nawaz of the Lower Valley Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “It only takes a minute for thief to be in and out of either your house or outside buildings with items of high monetary and sentimental value.

“You might be out in the garden with your shed open and just pop back into your house for five minutes to make a cup of tea - but that’s more than enough time for a thief to take your belongings.”

He said burglars have been targeting homes in the Lower Valley – which covers Brighouse, Rastrick Elland and Stainland.

“We have had day-time burglaries in the Lower Valley and we suspect that often the person or persons responsible live locally and are just trying their luck when presented with an insecure property.

“On Friday 17 May we had two examples of this in the Rastrick and Lightcliffe areas. The occupants were gardening at the time and had left their front doors unlocked. Burglars made their way in and stole valuables a wedding ring, jewellery and cash.”

Anyone with information about the burglaries are asked to contact the Lower Valley police at Brighouse station.