Homeowners in Broadland are being reminded to ensure their homes are secure following seven reported burglaries.

Six of the burglaries happened between Wednesday 1 and Monday 8 September, in The Warren in Horsham St Faith, Wade Close in Aylsham, Lilian Close in Hellesdon, St Williams Way and Elizabeth Avenue in Thorpe St Andrew area.

The seventh is believed to have happened sometime between Monday 30 August and Monday 6 September along Grange Road, Hainford.

The culprits have either forced their way into the properties or simply entered via and insecure door to steal valuable items including jewellery, electrical items and a car from one of the driveways.

Police are advising residents to ensure they secure their properties when unattended and report any suspicious activity to police.

Superintendent Dave Marshall said: "“Officers will be carrying out thorough investigations into the burglaries that have been reported, including the use of Selecta DNA to identify any stolen property or offenders. Domestic Burglary has been reduced by 40% across Broadland compared to last year which allows us to quickly identify small increases and focus our resources.

“If any residents saw or heard anything suspicious in the areas we would like to hear from you, no matter how small of insignificant you think the information you have is, it could prove vital into our investigation and bring a criminal to justice”.

Local Safer Neighbourhood Team officers will be carrying out patrols in the affected areas and offer the public reassurance. The victims will be issued with SelectaDNA in an attempt to reduce their chances of falling victim to crime a second time.

The details of the burglaries are:

• Between 10.20-10.30pm on Wednesday 1 September there was an attempted burglary at an address in Lilian Close, Hellesdon. Offender/s attempted to gain entry by forcing a ground floor window.
• This was followed by a second burglary in Lilian Close, Hellesdon sometime between Sunday 5 and Tuesday 7 September. Burglars forced their way into the back of the property via the garden and stole a number of items including jewellery.
• Sometime between 10am-10pm on Sunday 5 September there was an attempted burglary to a house in Wade Close, Aylsham. The owners secured all the windows and doors before leaving their property, but on returning home found a rear window had been forced open. It is believed that the offender/s may have been disturbed and subsequently did not enter the house.
• A distraction burglary was committed sometime between 9pm-11.30pm on Sunday 5 September in The Warren, Horsham St Faith. The male suspect engaged in conversation with the elderly victim before asking for a pint of milk for the alleged suspect’s granddad, who lives next door. Whilst the victim collected the milk it is believed that caller entered the property and stole the victim’s purse. Later the purse was found close by with the contents emptied.
• Sometime between 11.30pm-3am on Sunday 5 to Monday 6 September offenders broke into a property in Elizabeth Avenue, Thorpe St Andrew. It is believed that the offender/s may have entered the garden by climbing over a gate before entering the property through an insecure conservatory door. A number of items have been stolen including electrical goods and a vehicle parked on the drive way.
• On Wednesday 8 September between 10am-11.20am unknown offender/s forced their way through the front door of a property along St Williams Way, Thorpe St Andrew, where they stole a mobile phone and a laptop.
• Sometime in the last seven days burglars broke into a property along Grange Road, Hainford and stole a highly valuable watch. It appears that the offender/s forced their way into the property through the front door.

If you have information or would like to speak to an officer about the burglaries call 0845 456 4567.