POLICE have been advising residents across North Yorkshire about how to beat the burglars in the run up to Christmas.

Officers were out and about during a day of action today, December 8, offering crime prevention advice to people to help them combat burglary and bogus callers.

It followed an operation on Sunday where officers from the Operation Hawk team targeted travelling criminals who prey on the communities of North Yorkshire.

They arrested a 42-year-old man on suspicion of drink-driving on the A1 at Leeming Bar and he is expected to appear in court later this week.

Officers also searched seven vehicles and seized a Ford Transit van. They also searched nine people, reported two men for summons on suspicion of driving and drug offences, and issued two fixed penalty tickets for driving offences.

Inspector Dave Edwards said: “Protecting the communities of North Yorkshire is not just about making arrests, giving people good crime prevention advice is very important too.

“Criminals know that peoples’ houses will be full of expensive Christmas presents at this time of year, therefore home security is extremely important to help keep them out.

“For that reason we have had officers out and about across the force giving residents hints and tips about how they can properly secure their homes from thieves.

“Simple things like leaving a light on or hiding Christmas presents away can go a long way towards deterring burglars from breaking into your home.”

He added: “Thieves are opportunistic and if they spot an easy opportunity to get into your house they will take it.”

For crime prevention tips visit the website northyorkshire.police.uk/homesecurity