Help yourself - and don't become a victim of crime this summer.

That's the key message of a new drive by police in Bradford to persuade people to join the fight against crime as the warm weather sets in and opportunities for sneak-in burglaries increase.

Inspector Adrian Lyles, action co-ordinator for Bradford North police, said now was the time to get involved.

"We are finding that with the awareness and co-operation from the public we can drive down crime in Bradford North far more than we are doing now," Insp Lyles said.

And he said just a bit of thought could help avoid temptation for the criminals.

Insp Lyles said one of the core areas needing the public's awareness was in the home. "We are doing all we can do to drive down domestic burglary by tackling criminals and carrying out crime prevention," he said.

"But people are suffering burglaries at home because they are leaving their front doors unlocked while mowing the lawn out the back or having a barbecue and people just sneak in and steal their property.

"That type of burglary is far more likely than the break-in in the traditional sense."

And he said 80 per cent of burglaries at this time of year are of the sneak-in variety.

"And you can prevent it by simply turning the key in the door and locking them out," he said. "Every single offence prevented is another family's grief prevented and their personal items not stolen."

Burglaries in homes in Bradford North hit 4,000 last year. This year they are on target to be reduced by 500.

"Not only do we want to achieve that but beat it considerably," he said.

He is launching campaigns in hard-hit areas under Operation Target's Ring of Steel campaign, putting extra resources in to tackling crime. He said the summer months were a time when crimes rise with the lighter nights.

"But if we can nip it in the bud now we should be able to stop that increase happening," he said.

"We are enjoying a reduction in overall crime reported in the division - it is less than it was this time last year."

And he said people should be on their guard against street robbers, particularly those after mobile phones.

He said: "Without a doubt the most stealable item is the mobile phone.

"Look after your mobile phone by keeping them out of sight and don't wander down the street showing it off."

He also said the best form of defence was to be prepared.

Write down the IMEI number - the unique code for each handset. "If you have your mobile phone stolen and you report it to police, within minutes we can institute procedures to destroy the phone and the SIM card."

And he said knowing that was likely would put the robbers off.

"People who are thinking of stealing these things can expect to receive a substantial prison sentence for that offence.

"They are risking several years in jail for a mobile phone which within ten minutes will be completely and utterly useless."

And officers are also keen to stamp down on vehicle crime, but some drivers make themselves targets

"We are putting substantial additional resources to get patrols into the higher crime areas but people still lave property in display in their cars," Insp Lyles said.

And Insp Lyles said he wanted to help people help themselves. "If you want any crime-prevention material or advice then call me and I will make sure it is passed on to our crime-prevention teams," he said.

Insp Lyles and his team can be contacted on (01274) 376259.