POLICE say they are "absolutely dismayed" at the number of residents in the South Bank area of York who have been giving thieves an open invitation to raid their homes.

Officers took the unusual step of mounting a night-time campaign to check peoples' doors and windows, following a spate of burglaries where thieves have simply walked in through unlocked doors or reached through open windows.

In the space of just two hours over two nights, a team of uniformed officers discovered a staggering 23 homes with doors or windows left open or unlocked after the household had gone to bed.

Residents whose homes failed the security checks were woken up and warned of the dangers.

Sergeant Richard Spedding, who is leading the campaign, said: "We have been absolutely shocked and dismayed at the number of insecure premises we found. This level of apathy is so frustrating for us.

"Offenders are definitely going out looking for properties which are not secure and if people don't secure their premises they stand a heck of a lot more chance of being burgled."

He said the majority of people woken by officers were grateful for the security advice.

He added: "I'm sure people will agree it's better that we find unlocked doors or windows before the burglars do. It is awful to be burgled, but if people don't help themselves they could become a victim."

Officers also noticed a number of homes where ground-floor curtains had not been drawn at night, which gives burglars the chance to check the layout of the house and spot any valuables on show before deciding whether to raid the property.

Sgt Spedding warned that he and his officers would be continuing to check homes in the area. They are also following up new leads in a bid to catch those behind the recent spate.

Anyone who wants to advice on how to secure their home can call Sgt Spedding or the area's community officer PC Dave White at Acomb police station via 01904 631321.

Updated: 08:39 Monday, September 24, 2001