Officers tried out insecure door handles and windows in the area as part of burglary crackdown.

They found a home unlocked and despite knocking on the door loudly three times and even shouting "Police" they were able to enter the house.

To their amazement they found a set of car keys on the table to a brand new vehicle in the driveway.

It was not until a minute later that the resident realised there was someone inside and the officers warned them to keep their doors and windows locked in the future.

But only 10 days after the incident the same household was burgled because it was still left insecure.

The suspects managed to steal high-value computer equipment whilst the occupants were upstairs.

Insp Richard Coldwell, from the north-west outer policedivision, said it was vital that people keep their homes secure.

Insp Coldwell said: "We do really try hard and take sneak-in burglaries seriously but there is only so much that the police officers can do.
"If we have visited a home and offered the residents advice but they still don't listen then what else can we do?

"It is down to the public to be aware of this issue and it is a message to them."

He warned that a lot of insurance companies often scrutinise claims if households have been a victim to sneak-in burglars.

Insp Coldwell added: "Everyone should just do us a favour and make sure that they keep their doors and windows locked otherwise they could become a victim of something that could be easily avoided."

Earlier this month, homeowners in Otley were also warned that they could face a knock at the door from police officers if their property was insecure.

Officers tested unlocked door handles and were walking into people's houses in the town as part of a similar crackdown. Over the space of three days officers targeted 510 homes and found 48 of them insecure.
During that operation an officer was able to enter a home and gather up a purse, a briefcase, two mobile phones and a set of car keys.

She was not spotted until she began shouting at the top of her voice, warning the residents that a burglar would not give them a second chance.