Police are appealing for witnesses after two houses were burgled in Grove.

Between 10.30pm on February 22 and 6.40am on February 23, a house was burgled in Vicarage Close. The thieves broke in and stole items including a mobile phone and a camera.

On the same night, another house in Mayfield Avenue was burgled. A handbag and an iPod were stolen.

Det Con Chris Leech said: “Burglaries can be distressing for any victim and although we are working hard to tackle these crimes and catch those responsible, I would like to take this opportunity to ask residents to help us to do this.

“I urge anyone who might have seen any suspicious activity or has any information about these burglaries, to contact me.

“Most burglaries are carried out by opportunist thieves. In two out of ten burglaries, they don’t even have to use force to enter a property; they manage to get in through an open door or window.

"If doors aren’t locked properly, especially UPVC doors, the thieves can use an implement through the letterbox to open the door.”