CRIMINALS are preying on the tourists returning to parts of rural North Yorkshire after the foot-and-mouth crisis, say police.

Sgt Kevin Thornton, of Northal*erton, said crime was back on the increase in well-known tourist traps.

Some sightseers had been left stranded after a spate of car thefts.

He said visitors left cars in isolated areas while they enjoyed a walk, and the thieves either took the cars or broke in to steal belongings left on seats or parcel shelves.

"There will always be visitors who are more interested in people's possessions than in a healthy walk in the country," said Sgt Thornton.

"People visiting our countryside must ensure that they keep all valuables in their possession or, at the very least, out of sight."

And he said householders were still making it easy for burglars by leaving doors and windows unlocked.

"There are still incidents where entry is through an insecure door or window and the stolen property is either in view to those people or near the point of entry," he said. "It is amazing how many people leave handbags near the door."

Farmers and gardeners in the Northallerton and Thirsk area have also suffered with sheds broken into and tools and vehicle trailers stolen.

Sgt Thornton urged owners to beef up security.

He said: "In most cases it is impossible to identify the property stolen because most victims do not have the serial numbers of the items concerned," he said.

"It only takes a matter of minutes to make a note of the serial number, to benefit both the police and the insurance company.

"In many cases the security is poor, particularly in relation to the value of the property inside. A cheap lock will not protect your expensive tools."

Police are cracking down on areas known to be targeted by criminals and are asking for help from the public.

Sgt Thornton said residents should report any suspicious vehicles seen parked at night to the police or their licence plate numbers should be taken down