A spree of break-ins in West Barnes last week has prompted police to issue a warning to residents.

On Thursday, February 3, five houses were broken into on the same day and, since then, a further three have been burgled.

The roads targeted were Seaforth, Adella, Estella, Crossway, Consfield and Byron Avenues.

Graham Chapman, police sergeant for West Barnes Safer Neighbourhood Team, described the spate of burglaries as "astonishing".

Sgt Chapman said: "All the houses were entered through the rear through either a downstairs or upstairs window or door.

"Often the offender had to climb over 6 foot garden fences to get to the house.

"While further officers have been sent to this area to patrol the chances of walking by just at the time a burglary is occurring is still very slim."

In a message to West Barnes residents, Sgt Chapman added the following warning for residents to be vigilant:

If you see people climbing over garden walls, on garage or first floor roofs, strangers in the alley behind your house or any other suspicious behaviour please phone 999 describing what you see and tell the operator there have been a lot of burglaries in the area recently.

This will help the operator grade the urgency of the call.

We would much rather be called to what turned out to be innocent behaviour (such as a window cleaner standing on a roof) rather than visiting a victim of a burglary.

You can also help to protect yourselves by having an alarm installed. None of the properties entered this year had a burglar alarm.

For just a few pounds there are small individual window and door alarms which activate when there is a sudden vibration. These are available in most large hardware stores.

Click here for more Raynes Park and West Barnes police news.