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A SPATE of burglaries in West Yorkshire has prompted police to warn householders to get their old uPVC door locks checked and replaced.
There has been an upsurge in break-ins where vulnerable and cheap "euro-profile" locks have been forced.
Burglars use a simple tool to smash the lock in a technique well known among the criminal fraternity.
In many cases, the thieves break in to steal keys to expensive cars parked on the drive.
Around one in four burglaries in West Yorkshire involves the euro-profile locks, which are extensively used in uPVC doors, particularly older ones.
Police advice to homeowners with older uPVC doors is to get them checked by a reputable firm.
Social housing providers are changing old locks but many private householders are unaware that their property is vulnerable to a break-in.
Figures released by police last year in Kirklees showed that 320 homes in the district were targeted by thieves forcing open the euro-profile locks.
Kirklees PC Neil Taylor says that burglary figures often hit a high in January so now is a good time to get locks replaced.
He said: "There has been an upsurge in euro-profile lock snap burglaries across the whole county. Over 20 percent of house burglaries in the Kirklees division have been committed by offenders breaking such locks on uPVC doors."
Police in Huddersfield are taking to the streets and showing shoppers examples of broken door locks and new reinforced door locks now on the market.
Crime prevention officers have put together information packs giving guidance on what locks are in danger and what kind of locks to get installed.
A police spokesman said: "It is difficult for a householder to tell what sort of lock is fitted but the general advice is that if you have an older uPVC door, it would be worthwhile getting it checked."
Police are also advising people not to leave out Christmas packaging from TVs and other valuables, as this acts as an advertisement to a criminal.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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