Between 11pm on Tuesday and 6.30am yesterday (Wednesday), burglars opened the front door of a house in Vermont Road, and stole a wallet containing credit cards and £20 cash.

Police believe the offenders opened the door using the 'letterbox' method, where an instrument is pushed through the letterbox to open the door from the inside, due to the door not being locked with the key.

Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward.

Detective Sergeant Christina Berenger, from Loddon Valley CID, said: “I am appealing for anyone with information about this offence to come forward.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to remind residents to ensure all doors and windows are closed and locked with a key when leaving the house or going to bed, and to ensure their keys are not in reach or visible from any external doors to the property. Do not leave hand bags in easy view or your car keys inside them.” Residents can follow these simple precautions to avoid becoming a victim.

- Check you have locked your door and double locked UPVC doors. Most burglars are opportunists and will simply try door handles to see if any houses are left insecure.

- Don’t leave any keys in or hanging near the door.

- Ensure you have nothing in your garden which can be used to push through a letterbox or break in.

- Report suspicious behaviour straight away to police via the 999 number.

- Metal letterbox guards or a cage fitted to the inside of the door will stop a burglar reaching the door handle.

Anyone with information about the incident should contact Det Sgt Berenger on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.