Another plea has been issued for homeowners in Cumbria to make sure their doors and windows remain secure.

Following a recent spate of burglaries in the Workington and Maryport areas, Cumbria police are taking steps to stop a spike in break-ins – including undercover patrols. 

There have been recent reports of both sneak-in burglaries, where offenders have entered homes through unlocked windows and doors, as well as distraction burglaries. 

Tips include:

  • Remember to lock up even if you are only going out for a couple of minutes - that is all the time a thief needs
  • Before going to bed, close all ground floor and accessible windows and remember to lock all of your doors
  • It is worth remembering that most household insurance policies do not cover the theft of property from within a home that has been left unsecured
  • Postcode all types of property to deter thieves and improve the chances of tracing the stolen items. This can be done with ultra-violet marker pens, engraving, stamping or even paint
  • If you have an intruder alarm - use it and set it at night to protect vulnerable zones.

A Cumbria police spokesman said: "Dedicated officers are working hard to catch the offenders.

"Officers are conducting plain clothes and high visibility patrols in key areas with key information being delivered to houses and businesses in the area."