Police officers have arrested six people in the Worth Valley on suspicion of committing house burglaries in the area

PC Adam Beecroft, of Bingley and Worth Valley Neighbourhood Policing Team, told members of Haworth, Cross Roads and Stanbury Parish Council the arrests had been made within the past two weeks.

He was delivering an update on crime in the parish during the latest full meeting of the parish council on Monday evening.

He said police had responded to an increase in dwelling burglaries during the past couple of months, and as well as making arrests, had been looking to equip vulnerable households with more effective locks.

“With the warmer weather, some of the burglaries have been sneak-in type crimes, when residents have been out in their gardens and leaving doors and windows unlocked,” he said.

“We have had an increase in crime in the Worth Valley compared to the same six-week period in 2012, which is mainly down to stone theft, as well as shed and garage burglaries.

“The Yorkshire stone theft is a district-wide issue. We’ve had a problem with it in the Worth Valley for a couple of years. We’re working with neighbouring police forces to deal with travelling criminals who are stealing stone.”

PC Beecroft added: “We’ve also had intelligence from the community there’s a red pick-up truck, with a different coloured bonnet, which has been seen in the Oakworth area, and which may be linked to the theft of stone. If people see a vehicle matching that description, please call 101.”

In response to a query from Councillor Angel Kershaw, he said the thieves targeting garages and sheds were mainly looking to steal metal tools, which could be melted down for their scrap value.