A POLICE chief is warning residents and employees to be on their guard against opportunist thieves after officers noted a New Year surge in crime.

Police have revealed that January is traditionally a time when crime levels increase -- because households across the area have valuable property in the home.

Superintendent Steve Hartley has appealed to residents to keep their doors and windows locked and to ensure that new CD systems, televisions, DVDs, cameras and mobile phones are all stowed securely and security coded.

Supt Hartley said: "Thanks to last year's Operation Firewall, burglary took a significant dip towards the end of last year. Now we're appealing for the public's help to ensure that crime levels remain low."

Among other things he is urging people to ensure people to secure sheds, garages and outbuildings.

He said: "Many of the burglaries we had last year could have been prevented if people had simply locked their doors at night.

"Some thieves didn't even have to force windows and doors -- they simply walked in and helped themselves while the occupants were either watching television or sleeping.

"I cannot stress enough how important it is that people keep their properties secure."

The police chief also urged people to get their property security coded so that, if it is stolen, there is a greater chance of it being recovered.

He said: "Nearly every ward in Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale has a local Community Beat Officer and most of them hold surgeries.

"Next time you see one advertised go along and get your property postcoded or at least get some advice on how best to prevent crime."

He added: "Our officers are 110 per cent committed to reducing crime and over the

past 12 months, we've enjoyed a good degree of success in most categories of

crime.

"However, we'd much rather these crimes didn't happen in the first place because each one leaves behind it a trail of devastation for the victims.

"With that in mind, I would urge the public to do their bit to help us crack crime and make 2004 a happier, more crime free year for everyone."