Last night, the police patrolled the areas of Beighton, Woodhouse, Richmond and Birley after a burglary surge.

The increased police presence followed a press release yesterday morning urging residents in and around the Richmond area to check their home security.

Detective Inspector Lee Corker said that there have been numerous burglaries over the past four weeks and has asked residents to be vigilant.

He said: “Taking simple steps to secure your property can make life so much more difficult for burglars.”

The Detective Inspector advised residents to keep their doors and windows locked.

“If you are going out then leave a light on so it appears you are at home and consider timer switches if you are going away. A house that appears occupied is far less appealing to a potential burglar than one that is empty,” he added.

If you see suspicious activity in or around your local area, contact the South Yorkshire Police on 0800 555 111 or 101.

If there is a crime in progress or it’s an emergency call 999.