A WARNING about summer thieves has gone out in Huddersfield.

Householders were urged to guard against sneak-in burglars during the current warm spell.

The message came from Kirklees Safer Communities Partnership.

James Denton, the Partnership's repeat victimisation coordinator, said: "People often leave their doors open and windows unlocked.

"Sneak-in burglars need only a glimmer of opportunity. They can be in and out of a house within seconds.

"Always lock your doors and windows even if you are just popping upstairs or outside for a short time."

According to the Partnership's new Crime, Disorder and Drugs Audit 2004/05, sneak-in burglaries peak during the summer months.

Most of them happen between 6pm and midnight.

Clr Andrew Marchington, who chairs the Kirklees Safer Communities Partnership, said: "The Partnership has made staggering reductions in domestic burglary in recent years, lowering it by nearly 17% over the last five years.

"However, we want to reduce the number of incidents even further.

"Help us to help you by adopting these simple crime prevention measures."

* Close and lock all doors and windows when you leave a room or go outside

* Don't leave keys near doors or windows, or try to ``hide" them outside (under flowerpots, for example)

* Make sure valuable items can't be easily seen from outside (including TVs, DVD players and computers)

* Hide or lock away all important personal documents (such as passports and driving licences)

* If your property is empty after dark, leave a light and radio on.