Residents urged to be on their guard after burglars leave trail of misery

The spate of burglaries, which included a “two-in-one” where gangs break into properties and steal vehicles from the streets outside, were reported in the early hours of yesterday morning across the north of York.

During the raids on York Road, Southolme Drive, Earswick Chase, Chelkar Glade and Appleby Glade, a vehicle, electrical items, jewellery, high-value racing bike and freezers were all taken.

During the burglary in Appleby Glade, Haxby, the offenders took the keys to two vehicles parked outside. A Toyota Avensis was stolen and a van was entered and the sat-nav was taken.

A 26-year-old man from York and 23-year-old from Easingwold, have been arrested and were being questioned by police yesterday.

The Yorkshire Post revealed last week that there has been a worrying rise in home burglaries targeting luxury cars, particularly in South Yorkshire, as police continue a crackdown to fight the problem across the region.

In North Yorkshire, where there has been a major problem over the past few years with criminals travelling into the area to target some of the region’s most exclusive postcodes, the number of two in one burglaries has increased by a third in the first three months of this year compared to the same period in 2011.

The rise comes despite North Yorkshire Police launching a successful burglary crackdown last year to prevent criminal gangs travelling in to carry out raids, which has reduced incidents overall across the county and is still continuing.

South Yorkshire Police chiefs have blamed this year’s rise of 54 extra break-ins with 111 extra vehicles stolen, on persistent offenders being released from long jail terms and back on to the streets.