Residents have been reminded to lock up their homes after a shocking rise in burglaries.

The number of reported burglaries in Dorset rose by 16% between April and June this year, with an increasing amount of reports coming from Poole, Purbeck, Birdport, Dorchester, Weymouth and North Dorset.

Detective Inspector Neil Wright, of the Dorset Police Priority Crime Team, said burglaries are ‘often a result of opportunity,’ with figures showing that 50% of victims leave their doors and windows open.

He said: “Recent data suggests that nearly half of all dwelling burglaries reported to us are as a result of thieves gaining entry through unlocked doors and windows with 27 properties being targeted in the last three weeks as a result of being insecure.

“Burglaries are often as a result of opportunity, rather than planning, which makes many crimes entirely preventable if homeowners follow some simple steps.”

Dorset Police have advised residents to lock their doors and windows when leaving their homes, to hide their keys out of sight, and to make sure all side gates are locked.

DI Wright described the stolen items reported by residents.

He said: “Over the past three months, victims have lost large quantities of cash, electrical items, vehicles and heritage jewellery.

“Please avoid keeping large quantities of cash in your and take photographs of your valuable jewellery pieces and keep a written record. This will aid police in returning any stolen property to you and will make it difficult for burglars to sell the items on without detection.

“If you are concerned about keeping your home safe, think you may be at risk to this type of incident or know someone who you think could potentially be a victim please contact your local Neighbourhood Policing Team via the Dorset Police website, or call 101."

For more information about burglary offending, please call 101 or Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555111.