Last updated at 13:08, Monday, 28 January 2013

A SPATE of burglaries took place in Barrow and Ulverston within the space of 24 hours.

Now police in South Cumbria are urging residents to lock up, as all the incidents took place at insecure homes. 

Some time between 11.50pm on Friday and 7am on Saturday, a PS3 and laptop worth a combined £500 were stolen from a property in Glasgow Street, Barrow.

Also in Barrow, a house on Parade Street was entered between 12.15am and 10.15am on Saturday. A Bose stereo and mobile phones were stolen, resulting in around £800 loss to the victim.

Between 8pm on Friday and 10am on 26 January, a property in Lime Tree Road, Ulverston was targeted. A shopping bag and its contents, worth around £75, was taken.

DS Brian Murray, who is investigating the crimes, said: “These offences aren’t necessarily linked but they do share a common trait in that doors were left insecure.

“Each home that was burgled in this short time frame was targeted because the offender or offenders had easy access to goods that were valuable but easy to snatch – it’s likely each burglary took just a few minutes.

“It is vitally important that residents listen to important crime prevention advice. Doing something as simple as locking your doors and windows can help to stop the worry, distress and inconvenience of becoming a victim of crime.

“Knowing that someone has been in your home is horrible. It is unnerving and often makes residents feel very uncomfortable in their own homes.

“Please take time to check your home security and if you’re unsure of anything, contact us and ask for advice. Getting into the habit of checking your doors and windows are locked could really help us keep you and your property, safe.”

Anyone with information about any of the incidents is asked to contact DS Murray at Barrow CID on101, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

First published at 13:02, Monday, 28 January 2013
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk