THE chief inspector of a town’s police force has urged residents to be on their guard after a number of burglaries across the area.

Stevenage Chief Inspector Richard Harbon spoke to the Comet after two police appeals were launched this week.

One related to a burglary at a house in Lodge Way, Stevenage, some time between 10.30am on Thursday, August 22, and 9pm on Saturday, August 24, where thieves used a paving slab to smash a window.

Once inside, the burglars stole a number of items including a gold necklace with a nine carat diamond and ruby pendant, as well as four watches, including a Rolex and one bought just after World War II.

Another appeal related to a house in Walsham Close, Stevenage, after two men and a woman broke in at around 8.20pm last Tuesday.

The thieves stole a Playstation 3 console, keys, a brown short-handled Radley bag containing a wallet with cash and bank cards, as well as DVDs and CDs. The trio made off in a silver Ford Focus.

It follows three burglaries in St Albans Drive between August 6-14, which are all being linked by police.

Ch Insp Harbon said: “We have a couple of burglary hotspots in Stevenage, one is in Great Ashby and the other is down Hertford Road. I know it’s hot but I urge members of the public to lock their windows and doors. In the last week we’ve had incidents where valuable items have been stolen by people putting their hand through a window.

“We are still the safest place in the county when it comes to dwelling burglaries but I understand that doesn’t help when you’ve had a couple of burglaries in your road. If people are feeling vulnerable we’ve got some fantastic police community support officers happy to chat.”

If you have information about any of the burglaries call the police non-emergency number 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

To contact a PCSO visit www.herts.police.uk

• Click on the links on the top right of the page for more on the burglaries.