Doors and windows left open during the warm summer weather are an invitation to the opportunist thief. Crime reporter Chris Greenwood takes a look at an offence that takes just seconds, but leaves a lasting bitter taste.

SOMEONE, somewhere in York this week will have some of their most important personal possessions stolen by stealth. A wallet, handbag or purse will be taken, and with it cash, bank cards, loyalty cards and perhaps even a driving licence will all be lost.

Belongings left on kitchen tables, work surfaces, window ledges and hallway tables are all vulnerable and it takes only seconds for a thief to strike, quite often when the owner is just yards away.

This summer police officers are targeting these opportunist thieves whose activities make up almost a quarter of all domestic burglaries. In the first ten days of June, 102 burglaries were committed in York, and at least 20 of these were sneak-ins.

PC Roger Walker knows all about the misery caused by intruders who prowl our streets looking for weak points like open widows, insecure back yards or unlocked front doors leading to quiet hallways. "Sadly people can no longer leave their back doors open for the neighbours to wander in and out," he said. "Many of these thefts are pure opportunism. Cash, wallets, purses and handbags should never be left in view."

During a typical shift in the burglary follow-up vehicle he meets half-a-dozen residents and workers who have had belongings taken. Quite often someone is seen hanging around, acting suspiciously, and officers gather intelligence to help them pinpoint serial offenders.

PC Walker said: "Residents need to be community-minded and look out for each other. Sometimes people might see someone acting suspiciously and do not want to know, but how would they feel if it was their property?"

Back at Fulford Police Station, Sergeant Dave Kirby said that at this time of year officers saw a surge in suspicious behaviour and incidents that they believed were linked to sneak thieves looking for an easy target.

He said: "Opportunists will knock on a row of doors, perhaps in a terraced street. Even if the door is answered, the potential thief can see if the door is locked and even scan the hallway for valuables.

"People quite often have a small table or shelf just inside their front door on which they put their car keys, wallet and mobile phone. If the door is unlocked a thief can swipe all these belongings in seconds." Sneak-in thefts form almost a quarter of all burglaries in the York and Selby area and officers are urging residents to call if they see people acting suspiciously or have a caller who does not seem genuine.

Sgt Kirby said: "We always try and act on intelligence received from the public. If we find certain areas are being targeted, we can put more patrols on the streets and create a high-profile presence.

"It is a high priority of ours to cut down sneak-in thefts and burglaries."

Keep your things safe:

JANE Mowat, of the Safer York Partnership, an agency dedicated to reducing crime in the city, suggests these simple steps to cut down crime:

Lock your door, even when you are in the house - it takes just seconds to create mayhem

Do not leave handbags or wallets on window sills or on surfaces close to doors

If you have a lock and chain use it. If not, consider getting one fitted

Use a UV marker pen to postcode your property and take photographs of items of high value

Do not leave the boxes and packaging from costly goods clearly visible by your rubbish bins.

Updated: 08:52 Wednesday, July 09, 2003