HOMEOWNERS should be on their guard after the release of new crime figures affecting Castleton.

There has been a slight increase in burglaries in the area and police received a number of reports of incidents over last weekend.

The police are urging people not to make things easy for thieves and to keep all doors and windows locked.

Sergeant Andrew Pilling described burglaries as still being ‘a burning issue’.

He said: "The message is any time of the day or night is a potential for burglary or speculative takers to be out there.

"Don’t be complacent during the day. That means securing upstairs windows as well as downstairs and back doors, even if you feel the property is safe."

At around 10pm on Saturday a man entered a property in St Martin Street through an unlocked front door.

He grabbed a 32 inch television and although he was seen by the occupants he was able to escape with the TV.

An MP3 player, a radio, a purse and a handbag were among the items taken from a property in Partington Street at around 7.45pm on Friday.

They were valued at more than £190.

Between 11am on Sunday and 7am on Monday morning clothing and foodstuffs worth around £110 were taken from a garage in St Gabriel’s Close.

And between 5am and 6am on Monday in Vicarage Road North, a burglar entered an insecure property.

A handbag, purse and Nintendo game machine were taken.

Sergeant Pilling added: "A large percentage of reported burglaries are made very easy for the burglars because they don’t have to force entry.

"They can be out quickly and quietly and there isn’t a deterrent."

He warned against people leaving property on show like mobile phones or handbags.

"I’m not suggesting people should keep their houses clinically clean but it is better not to leave things in areas that are access points."