Burglar jail releases prompt police warning in Leeds Published duration 6 December 2011

media caption West Yorkshire Police has taken the unusual step of warning the public that more than 60 burglars are due to be released from prison before Christmas

More than 60 people convicted of burglary will complete their sentences during December, according to West Yorkshire Police.

Officers said 64 individuals were being released to residential addresses in and around Leeds and admitted it was inevitable some would reoffend.

Police said people should be vigilant about securing their properties.

The force said it was working to try to ensure these offenders remained on the "straight and narrow".

'Intensive policing'

Ch Supt Paul Money, from West Yorkshire Police, said that early knowledge of the release dates of these 64 offenders was an advantage.

He added that the force was working closely with the prisons and Leeds City Council to give offenders support.

Ch Supt Money said: "The more stability these individuals get as they come out of custody reduces the risk of them reoffending.

"Of course there will be a proportion of those individuals who are likely to reoffend.