HOUSEHOLDERS in Rossendale are being advised to ensure their house is safe and secure following a spate of opportunist thefts.

Det Sgt Stuart Barlow said: "I am appealing for people to make sure they keep their doors locked and remove the key.

"Also fasten any bolts they have on doors and make sure if a window is left open it is locked so it cannot be opened further and used as a means of getting into the house."

In recent incidents a house in Rochdale Road, Bacup was broken into overnight Saturday/Sunday and £40 cash and a £20 Casio watch were stolen and a number of electrical items were moved around inside the house.

In the early hours of Sunday morning burglars broke in and stole two Nokia 82 10 mobile phones Lambert and Butler and Benson and Hedges cigarettes and car keys worth £228.