PERSHORE'S beat manager is warning residents to make sure their homes are secured after a spate of burglaries.

PC Al Tandy spoke out after houses in Avon Road and Furlongs Road were entered last weekend.

He also said that four other similar opportunist burglaries have occurred in the area within the last three weeks.

Between 7.30pm and 8.45pm last Friday, thieves entered a home in Avon Road through an unlocked patio door and stole £200 worth of PlayStation equipment, a Nokia 8310 mobile phone, valued at £150, a driving licence and a quantity of cash.

Thieves then entered a house in Furlongs Road through an unlocked front door and stole a television set from the front room between 2.30am and 5.30am last Sunday.

PC Tandy said: "Our homes are the biggest purchases that any of us make in a lifetime and all of our possessions are stored within them.

"Yet despite this great importance, when the summer months arrive door and windows are left open.

"By protecting our homes and making them look less attractive to burglars, we can prevent a lot of burglaries."

He said burglar alarms were a good deterrent and that windows should have a visible locks.

He added: "Opportunist thieves commit most burglaries and in two in every 10 burglaries, the thief does not have to force his way in.

"I am appealing to householders to be aware of home security and I would also like to speak to anyone who believes they may have information regarding these thefts."

Anyone with information is urged to contact police on 01905 723888.