While out canvassing for Labour in Holgate these last few months I have met some really lovely people and many of these have welcomed me into their homes to discuss their local concerns or simply to have a chat.

While I appreciate the kindness of these people, it sometimes alarms me how readily elderly people are to invite virtual strangers into their homes.

I would like to ask everyone not to stop inviting people in, but to carry out basic security checks first.

Now that the nights are getting lighter there are also a number of people who leave their doors and windows wide open. I am sure everyone, regardless of their political allegiance, would agree with me that we all need to be more security conscious.

Let's not make life easy for thieves and burglars.

Denise Bowgett, Labour candidate for Holgate, Lady Hamilton Gardens, York.