POLICE today hailed a dramatic plunge in York's burglary rate - and pledged to prevent any upsurge when notorious "Blip Boy" is released shortly.

York suffered 243 burglaries in April and May, compared with 567 in the same period last year.

Superintendent John Lacy believes the crime reduction of more than 50 per cent is due to three factors: highly effective, intelligence-led detective work targeting prolific offenders, improved forensic science technology and heavy sentencing of prolific criminals by the courts.

And he is determined to ensure there is no sudden reversal of the downward trend when York's most infamous serial burglar, John Harris, finishes a stretch inside.

The Evening Press understands that Harris, who became known as Blip Boy when he was younger because he broke into so many homes that he caused blips in crime statistics, is due for release later this month.

When he was last freed from jail in 1998, he raided the home of a woman in her eighties and another in her sixties within days. But police were soon on his tracks and he was sentenced to three-and-a-half years' imprisonment by a judge at York Crown Court in January last year.

At the time, Judge Jonathan Crabtree declared that York needed a holiday from his criminal activities. He told Harris, of Chapelfields: "Ever since you were 12, you seem to have done nothing but burgle other people's houses."

He said that if he had been sure Harris had deliberately targeted old people's homes, so that he could get away if caught, his feet would not have touched the ground. "You would be inside for seven years."

York's crime holiday would look set to end before the end of the month - but for the determination of police not to let Blip Boy ever again cause another blip in the statistics.

Supt Lacy said he was reluctant to comment on Harris's release, because he hoped that during his time in prison, he would have decided to lead a new life away from crime.

"However, policing is very much intelligence-led, and should there be any blip in the statistics following his release, we will respond to nip that in the bud."

PICTURE: Blip Boy John Harris