A COUPLE are keeping an all-night vigil at their York home after being hit by a series of burglaries.

Neil and Sue Lacy take it in turns to sleep so they can keep watch and listen for intruders at their house in the Tang Hall area.

They took the extreme measure after thieves stole their three bikes in the last three weeks, along with a moped and garden equipment.

"It's the last straw," said mother-of-five Mrs Lacy, who goes to bed between 8.30pm and 2am each day and then stays awake until 6am to let her husband get some sleep.

"I can't think of what else to do." The family have installed a variety of devices to keep the thieves out, including a burglar alarm, security camera and padlocks on the gates and shed.

"We've tried everything but they still manage to get in," said Mrs Lacy, who is out of work.

"It has got really bad round here - one of our neighbours had some jewellery taken while they were in the house.

"We can't even afford insurance because the premiums are set so high."

Mrs Lacy said one of the stolen bikes, belonging to her son Alan, was worth about £1,000.

It has a distinctive yellow frame and orange and black suspension forks.

"I'm gutted," said Alan, 18. "It's the only one of its kind that I know of in York.

"We're sick of being burgled - my parents are tired all the time from staying awake.

"There doesn't seem to be anything else we can do to stop it."

A spokesman for York police confirmed the burglaries had taken place.

"We're currently investigating the matters," he said.

"If people are keeping watch and see someone on their property they should ring the police straight away rather than handle the situation themselves."

Anyone with information about the burglaries should contact York police on 01904 631321.

Updated: 11:06 Wednesday, April 10, 2002