BURGLARS have enjoyed rich pickings as householders relax their home security in the hot and humid weather.

Twenty-two homes across York have been raided in the last fortnight, when doors and windows were either unlocked or open.

More than 50 burglaries of insecure properties were carried out between May 20 and June 20, compared with 36 the previous month.

Superintendent Howard Harding today urged people to be more vigilant.

"I think many people still hold the view that the burglar only strikes at night, smashes a window to gain access to the property and carries off the loot in a swag bag.

"Today's burglar is recklessly bold and will simply walk through a door or climb through an open window and very quickly grab wallets, bags and keys before disappearing with equal speed."

Of the 22 recent break-ins, most occurred between 2am and 7am, but nine were in broad daylight.

One burglar entered a property through an open window and used keys from a stolen handbag to leave.

In two instances, people were at home at the time - one couple were in the rear garden unaware of an intruder inside their home, and another resident remained undisturbed while dozing in the lounge.

Between March 20 and June 20, 45 per cent of all burglaries in York were at insecure properties, with most offenders - two-thirds - using a door, usually at the front, to get in.

Houses, rather than flats or bungalows, were most commonly targeted, particularly mid-terraces.

Offenders went for small and easily transportable property such as purses, handbags, cash, mobile phones and lap tops.

Hotspots include off Leeman Road, Salisbury Terrace and Kingsland Terrace, and the Heslington and Fishergate areas.

Ground-floor windows and first-floor windows immediately above a flat roof are most vulnerable.

Jane Mowat, of Safer York Partnership, said: "When the sun comes out, so too does the burglar. It is so easy to forget to secure the front of the property when you are relaxing or gardening at the rear, but it is crucially important to do this."

Updated: 10:39 Saturday, June 25, 2005