The police inspector for the North Herts safer neighbourhood team is urging members of the public to be vigilant after a spate of burglaries in Letchworth within the space of a week.

Thieves have targeted homes in Redhill, Broadway, Grange Road and Cashio Lane since last Thursday, October 29, with the latest burglary taking place yesterday.

Burglars smashed the glass of a back door to get into a property in Redhill at some point between 7.45am and 5.30pm yesterday before carrying out a messy search. Watches, cash and a safe were all taken in the raid.

A home in Broadway was also broken into through a back door at some point between yesterday and Tuesday, although it is not yet clear exactly what was taken.

Between 5.30pm on Friday, October 30, and 3.30pm on Sunday thieves forced their way into a Grange Road property through the back door, before making off with cans of beer.

And a house in Cashio Lane was also on targeted at some point between 4.30pm last Thursday, October 29, and 4.20am the following morning.

It is not clear how they got in but they left with cash after being disturbed by a dog.

In the wake of the spate, North Herts Insp Duncan Sales said: “While we’re working to keep burglary levels low, there’s a great deal that residents can do to protect their property.

“One of the key messages we will be trying to get across is that leaving your home empty in the darker afternoons and evenings can alert criminals that your home is empty. We are recommending that, if you are out during the day, you use a timer switch to turn a light on and give your home a ‘lived-in’ look while you are out.

“Many people do not remember to double-lock PVCu doors, by lifting the handle and turning the key to engage all the safety features. Also, obvious things like closing all windows and locking garden gates and garages can help keep your home more secure.

“I would urge any residents to contact us if they see any suspicious activity in their neighbourhoods – it might be nothing, but it might just as easily prevent a burglary or other crime being committed.”

Anyone with information about the burglaries is asked to call police on 101.