A COMMUNITY safety team will be out in strength next week to tackle a rise in burglaries.

Raids on homes in and around the market town of Stokesley, North Yorkshire, have increased and the community safety officers will be in the town next week.

"It is obvious that travelling criminals have been taking advantage of the long hours of darkness to target properties in the early evenings whilst occupants are out," said Inspector John Richardson, of Stokesley police.

"The police have been focusing on this problem with increased patrols, and thorough investigations. These have resulted in some significant arrests, and there are encouraging signs that these efforts are having an impact.

"However, we cannot be complacent, and we must all do whatever we can to bring this recent trend to a halt."

He added: "Most of the break-ins took place in the early evening when the occupants were out, with all types of property stolen. We urge people to be vigilant and to take as many measures as possible to safeguard their property."

The Hambleton Community Safety Partnership is taking its mobile police unit to Safeway's car park in the town next Friday to offer advice and information.

Officers will be available at the unit between 10am and 2pm.

Further help will be available at the Cracking Crime Together roadshow being staged by the Partnership at Stokesley Town Hall from 5pm to 8pm on Monday, January 26, when the team will be joined by the fire service, police and trading standards officers.