West Yorkshire police have launched an initiative which could see the number of home insurance claims in the county fall this winter.

In Eccleshill, the force has reintroduced a temporary unoccupied house form - which residents can fill in to notify officers if they are going away.

This makes the police aware of any empty properties and allows them to keep a close eye on them while the householders are away.

Officers said this should reduce the chances of such homes being broken into.

Inspector Pete Tuff commented: "This is an excellent idea which will benefit residents and police by making us more aware of vulnerable properties in our neighbourhoods."

He added the initiative should help to provide people going away over the Christmas period with valuable peace of mind.

Meanwhile, West Yorkshire police recently announced the first two weeks of a scheme to crackdown on burglars in north-east Leeds had resulted in 44 arrests.

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