Every house in a Bradford neighbourhood is to be visited by a crime-fighting team determined to stamp out burglaries this winter.

Police have teamed up with Bradford Council wardens and a crime reduction charity for the pilot project in Girlington, which could be rolled out to other areas if it proves a success.

In years gone by, Girlington has proved a hot-spot for break-ins, particularly during the winter when evenings are darkest.

So this year, the team will be visiting every one of the area’s 1,500 homes offering a free security check.

Householders will be offered home security advice from Leeds-based charity Community Action and Support Against Crime (CASAC), and will also be able to buy lock upgrades or other crime-fighting kit from them.

Inspector Richard Baildon, of Manningham and Toller Neighbourhood Policing Team, said in the past year the team had reduced the number of burglaries in the wider Toller ward by a third, from 90 to 60.

But he said he hoped the project, called Operation Stationdale, would improve the rates still further and prevent burglars from striking any Girlington home this winter.

He said: “We are determined that not one burglary will happen in this area. That’s what we are aiming for. One is too many.”

CASAC chief executive Neil Goldup said if he could give just one tip to homeowners, it would be to lock their doors.

He said: “If you have got the locks, use the locks. There is no point us coming round and fitting high-security locks, if you are not going to lock them.”

Councillor Imran Hussain, deputy leader of Bradford Council and a ward councillor for the area, said burglary was one of the worst kinds of crimes that could happen to people, and often left victims feeling particularly vulnerable.

He said: “I think this is a fantastic project to have in Girlington, especially at this time of year when it gets darker and there’s more of a risk of burglaries occurring.

“That’s why I think it’s really important to educate people and to help them take every precaution to make sure their house is protected.”