IT'S open house for burglars in areas of Teesside - literally.

Walk-in burglaries account for nearly half of all burglaries in Middlesbrough and so a campaign has been launched to persuade residents to get into the habit of always shutting and locking their doors and windows.

Leaving doors unlocked means easy picking for thieves, said Sue Willoughby of the Crime Reduction Initiative (CRI).

She said: "Some people find it easy to leave car and house keys, purses, wallets and bags to hand, but they should not be kept on view and certainly never next to an open door. Simple changes can bring about swift and safe results for residents."

The CRI aims to work with housing associations and accommodation providers with particular attention to students living away from home for the first time, who need to think about home security.

The group has ten goody bags containing promotional gifts as well as a doormat emblazoned with the reminder "Shut it lock it" to give away to readers of The Northern Echo in the Middlesbrough Single Regeneration Budget area.

To receive the free gift, call Sue Willoughby on (01642) 863633. For crime prevention advice ring (01642) 303171.