POLICE are warning residents to protect their homes when they go on holiday after a burglary at a house in a village near Alresford .

The incident happened at a house in Parkside Lane, Ropley, on Saturday, August 18 between 5.15pm and midnight, although nothing was taken from the property.

PC Emma Purser, of Winchester Police, said: “The house was broken into while the occupants were on holiday but it is possible that the thief was disturbed and therefore left empty handed.

“Anyone with information about this incident should contact the police. I am particularly keen to hear from anyone in the Ropley area who may have had an unusual caller recently or noticed anything suspicious in the area.”

PC Purser advised residents to: - Make your home look lived in - use automatic timer switches to turn your lights or radio on.

- Cancel any milk or newspaper deliveries.

- Cut the lawn before you go. - Ask a friend or relative to collect your mail, park on your driveway, open and close curtains and water the garden. - Store valuable items or documents in a safe or leave them with someone you trust. - Make sure you have locked all windows and doors, and if you have an alarm, use it.

- Make sure your valuable items such as laptops and games consoles are not on view from the outside.”

Anyone with information on the incident should contact PC Purser at Winchester Police Station on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111