POLICE are urging residents to be vigilant following a spate of burglaries in Witham.

A number of burglaries took place overnight on May 22 and on May 23.

In many cases, UPVC doors had not been fully locked and residents are advised to secure them by lifting the handles and locking with a key.

A man entered an insecure front door at a home in Oxlip Road at 2.35am on May 23 but were disturbed by the alarm and left empty-handed.

Officers carried out a search of the area but there was no trace of the suspect.

Thieves then forced open an insecure conservatory door at a second home in Oxlip Road between 9pm on May 22 and 7.45am on May 23 and stole a purse and cigarettes.

An insecure front door was forced open at an address in Highfields Road between 10.30pm on May 22 and 7.30am on May 23.

A search was carried out and a rear taillight was stolen from a Ford C-Max parked outside.

Another home in Highfields Road was broken into via the front door between 12.30am and 4.45am on May 23 and a wallet was stolen.

An intruder entered a third home in Highfields Road through an insecure front door between 3.40am and 3.50am on May 23 and stole jewellery, a handbag and a wallet.

He was disturbed by the homeowner. Police carried out a search of the area but there was no trace of the suspect.

The front door of a home in Armond Road was forced open between 11pm on May 22 and 5.45am on May 23.

A handbag, jewellery, mobile phone and Apple tablet were stolen.

Mobile phones, an Apple tablet and a wallet were stolen from another address in Armond Road between 10.30pm on May 22 and 7.30am on May 23.

Suspects forced open a front door in Brain Road sometime between 11pm on May 22 and 3am on May 23 and stole items including a purse and Apple tablet.

A door was forced open at a second address in Brain Road between 3.10am and 3.20am on May 23 but the suspect was disturbed and nothing was stolen.

This was followed by another attempt to break into another home in Brain Road at 3.25am but failed to gain entry.

Suspects forced open a door at an address in Trent Road between 10.45am on May 22 and 3.30am on May 23 but nothing was stolen.

A front door at an address in Eden Close was forced open at 3.45am on May 23 but nothing was stolen.

A number of burglaries were also reported in Braintree between May 22 and today, May 24.

Money and a dish were stolen from a home in Godlings Way sometime between 1am and 2am on May 23.

The front door of a home in Francis Road was forced open between 11pm on May 22 and 6.15am on May 23. A handbag and watch were stolen.

A handbag and its contents were stolen from an address in Lower King in the early hours of Tuesday May 24.

A handbag and three figure sum of cash were stolen from an address in The Ley sometime between 10pm on May 23 and 5am on May 24.

District commander Craig Carrington said: "Our investigations into all these burglaries are continuing and as part of those enquiries, we are making house to house enquiries and examining any forensic opportunities.

"We would urge anyone with information to please call Braintree CID on 101.

"We are also continuing their work to tackle burglaries in the Braintree district including targeting suspected offenders, carrying out extra patrols in higher risk areas and visiting householders in close proximity to burgled houses to offer advice and reassurance.

"However, we also advise homeowners to take some simple steps to help protect their homes against burglars.

"Please use any extra security measures you have available; for example, in the case of uPVC doors lift the door handle then turn and remove the key, and use dead bolts.

"Keep keys readily available in the case of an emergency but out of sight.”

For further information please see the Essex Police website or contact your local crime prevention tactical advisor on 101.