POLICE have urged residents to “lock it or lose it”, following a spate of thefts and burglaries from cars in Harrogate.

Robbery, sexual offences and thefts from outbuildings have fallen in the area, but officers said burglary and theft from vehicles remains an issue which officers are keen to stamp out.

Sergeant Geoff Crocker, of Harrogate Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: “Harrogate is one of the safest towns in the safest county in the country, however some people’s complacency over crime prevention is making life easy for criminals.”