Homes being built in York only contain a minimum of security provisions a survey carried out by trading standards officers has revealed.

Officers from York City Council's Trading Standards Service visited show homes and building site offices posing as house buyers.

Questions were asked about security issues in order to uncover any possibly false claims being made about the levels of security being offered in homes.

Matthew Boxall, principal trading standards officer, said: "Happily, no false claims were being made about what security provisions were provided in newly built homes.

"However, the surprise was that very few security aspects were incorporated into new homes other than those very basic ones required by a National House Building Council guarantee.

"It was virtually impossible to gather information about even the basics, such as window and door locks, from the front line staff at show homes and site offices, and no-one was aware of the Secured By Design (SBD) initiative."

The SBD initiative means the layout of estates are designed to appeal to a wide range of people, ensuring that some properties are occupied at all times of the day.

Research carried out has shown that residents living on a SBD estate will be half as likely to be burgled, two-and-a-half times less likely to suffer vehicle crime and will suffer 25 per cent less criminal damage.

PC Jim Shanks, community safety officer with the Safer York Partnership, said: "Property developers are not required by law to conform to the Secured by Design Initiative and will only incorporate these aspects if they are demanded by consumers."

People thinking of buying a new-built property can contact PC Shanks on (01904) 669083 for advice on asking about security aspects when buying a home.