POLICE are warning Winchester residents to keep their homes safe after a spate of recent burglaries.

Three houses in Oliver’s Battery Road South were burgled between 11am and 2pm on Thursday, May 23. The offenders left empty-handed from two homes but stole jewellery from the third.

A house in nearby Stanmore Lane was then broken into between 3.35am and 3.45am on Saturday, June 1. The burglars entered through an insecure window and stole an Acer Iconia A500 tablet and a black Samsung phone.

Despite the proximity of the properties, a police spokesman said there was no evidence the Stanmore incident was linked to the others.

Police would like to talk to anyone who saw a white new shape Ford Fiesta carrying two men on the Thursday.

Meanwhile officers are warning residents to keep windows closed when out or at night to avoid security risks.

DC Elaine Cawkill said: “It is really tempting to leave your windows open at night during warm weather but it could be an open invite to a burglar so please make sure you have closed and secured windows and doors before you go to bed.”

Anyone with information should contact DC Cawkill or PC Graham Wren about the Stanmore and Oliver’s Battery burglaries respectively on 101, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.