A CRIME prevention group is to consider ways of tackling an annual increase in burglaries during the summer.

An analysis of figures has shown that August is the hot-spot month for burglaries in the Sedgefield borough.

The statistics were researched by crime prevention officer PC Neil Langthorne, who reported them to a recent meeting of the Sedgefield Burglary Action Group.

By looking at statistics for the past three years, he found that August stood out, with 123 recorded incidents.

Most of the offences in the month were sneak-in thefts, committed in the warm weather, when people were sitting outside and leaving doors and windows open or unlocked.

PC Langthorne, who is to prepare an action plan, said: "I would suggest that, perhaps as a group in Sedgefield borough, we look at an operation to run during the school holidays."

The figures also identified the hot-spot towns, in terms of burglaries, over the past two months.

Ferryhill recorded the most offences. Inspector Steve Winship is to monitor the situation.

PC Langthorne said the overall trend for burglaries in the borough was still downwards.