An area of Leicester has seen a sharp rise in the number of house burglaries.
There were 12 break-ins in South Knighton in a period of 20 days, a significant rise in the average for the area of about one break-in a week.
Police have been visiting homes in affected areas – which include the streets near Knighton Park and off London Road – to remind people to ensure windows and doors are locked and some lights are left on when they are out.
Some of the homes burgled in the 20-day period, which ran up until Saturday, were insecure. However, many were safely locked, but intruders smashed their way inside.
Property stolen ranges from jewellery to computers and other electronic equipment.
Beat officer Pc Jim Mungovin said: "We have had 12 burglaries in 20 days and that is high for this area. They are happening at night and during the day.
"The methods are not always the same, but I'm sure some of them are connected.
"There is a bit of a pattern emerging. Some homes have been unoccupied because the owners were on holiday.
"It has gone quiet over the past couple of days, but we will be continuing to speak to people in the area to remind them of the steps they can take to protect their homes.
"We are also encouraging them to look out for people behaving suspiciously, possibly travelling in vehicles, and to call us straight away and we will come out to investigate."
The force this week launched a crime prevention campaign which includes a reminder to people to protect their homes from burglars.
The campaign, which will run throughout December, also highlights car crime and drink-driving. Police have also recruited the help of an eight-year-old boy to help design a Christmas-themed crime prevention and safety leaflet which is now being distributed across the city and county.
Detective Chief Inspector Rich Ward said: "Our brightly-coloured leaflets will remind people to take some simple steps to keep themselves, their homes and their cars safe.
"On a final note, I would ask that if you see anything suspicious to ring us on 101 or in an emergency, 999.
"I would rather we attend a call which has been made with good intent than hear about it a couple of days later."
