SNEAKY thieves are breaking into Glasgow tenement lofts to smash their way into properties below.

Raiders are breaking into attics through the communal hatch, before crawling through the loft space and dropping into flats below.

Police urged residents to be on their guard after a thief used the method to break into a West End home.

In a statement, police said: "Top floor flat broken into via attic space.

"Make sure your communal hatch is secured with padlock or grill."

Earlier this month, the Evening Times revealed police launched Operation Neighbourhood in a bid cut the number of break-ins across the city.

The operation, which involves every beat officer in the city being briefed on serial offenders, was launched in July.

So far, police have snared the suspects behind more than 90 break-ins at homes, businesses and stores.

One suspected thief is accused of 30 separate offences, including break-ins at residential and commercial properties.

Detective Inspector Thom McKean, who is leading the operation, said: "We launched Operation Neighbourhood to proactively target housebreakings and acquisitive crime, with our aim to reduce the number of victims.

"We have dedicated teams of detectives and uniformed officers working on break-in inquiries.

"We know that many thieves take advantage of circumstances, so are asking people to work with us to drive down the number of break-ins."

Police are also offering home security tips - including laying gravel under window ledges and on doorsteps - in a bid to reduce home raids.

Officers believe gravel can deter break-ins because of the noise it produces under foot.

In a statement, police said: "Gravel placed outside under window ledges and at doorsteps can be a good way to deter housebreakers."