A "DON'T leave yourself open to burglars" warning has been given by police in Burnley.

It follows a number of sneak-in burglaries at houses across the town in which opportunist thieves have simply walked in through unlocked doors and stolen property.

The latest incident was in Ingham Street, Padiham.

A thief took advantage of the back door being left insecure.

The crook simply walked in and helped himself to property valued at £540 including a Panasonic video recorder, £20 cash, gold belcher chain, gold chain with a gold horse pendant and a signet ring.

Det Sgt Peter Simm warned: "There have been quite a number of burglaries in the last week or so where offenders have got into houses because either the front or back door has been left unlocked.

"They have stolen valuable property often handbags and their contents.

"Sometimes the people have been inside the property and other times not.

"My advice is that even when at home you cannot cover both doors so make sure they are locked."