Officers have noticed an increase in instances of burglary and in many cases simple precautions by the home owner would have reduced the likelihood of the offence occurring in the first place.

Crime Prevention Officer PC Andy Denton said: "I would urge home owners to 'think security' when leaving their property or even when working or socialising in the garden over the bank holiday weekend.

"A simple check to ensure that all accessible doors and windows are secure and locked will prevent many offences from occurring.

"It is very easy for an offender to quickly sneak in an open front door and steal property even when owners are present in and around the house.

"Many offenders of these types of offences are opportunistic and what better opportunity is there than an unlocked or open door or window? If we remove the opportunity we will invariably remove the offence.

"Similar offences have been committed against sheds, garages and other outbuildings too and these should also be secured properly when not being used."

Officers are also a warning about thefts from motor vehicles as they have noticed that many thefts are a result of vehicles being left unlocked or insecure by victims on driveways or outside their houses.

PC Denton added: "As with burglary, offenders are opportunists and will react to temptation.

"Always lock your vehicle and never leave valuables or property such as sat navs and bags on view in the vehicle. If you do own a sat nav, please remember to remove the cradle and wipe the tell-tale suction mark from your windscreen."