Burglars target cars in Burley-in-Wharfedale (From Wharfedale Observer)

Burglars target cars in Burley-in-Wharfedale

8:39am Wednesday 11th July 2007 in Local news By Amanda Greaves

CARS in Burley-in-Wharfedale were the target of burglars and thieves in five incidents in the village, last week.

A car was stolen from a house on Ron Lawton Crescent over the weekend, and cars parked outside other homes may have been the target of attempted burglaries in recent days.

Thieves who stole a bank card from an unlocked car attempted to use it just seven minutes later in Otley, and in a separate incident, power tools were stolen from an unlocked van.

Burglars got into the house on Ron Lawton Crescent through an insecure window between 7pm on Saturday and 9.30am on Sunday.

Car keys stolen from the house were used to drive off in a silver Seat Leon Cupra R.

A BMW parked on a driveway on Conisborough Close may have been the target in an attempted break-in between 11.55pm on Saturday and 11am on Sunday. A doorlock on the house had been snapped off.

Four cars parked on the driveway of a house on Jumb Beck Close may have been the target of would-be burglars late last Wednesday or in the early hours of Thursday. Mole grips were found abandoned on the handle of a UPVC door at the house.

A handbag was stolen from an unlocked car on Ilkley Road, Burley, at around 4.50pm last Wednesday. Police say there was an attempt to use a bank card from the bag in Otley town centre at 4.57pm.

An insecure van on Aireville Terrace was the target of another theft, between 9pm on Thursday July 5 and 7am on Friday. Makita power tools were stolen.

Keighley Division Police crime prevention officer, PC Adrian Foyston, recently advised residents to lock their vehicle away if they have a garage, use a steering wheel lock of other security device if parking outside, and remove any valuable items from cars.

PC Foyston has also been handing out security advice on preventing sneak-in burglaries, such as keeping all ground floor doors and windows locked at night or if out in the garden, and keeping valuables including car keys out of sight in the house.

Anyone with information on any of these crimes is asked to contact Keighley Police on (01535) 617059.