POLICE have warned residents in the Harwood Street area of Darwen to be extra vigilant after a number of cases of burglary and vandalism.

Det Sgt Chris Counsell, of Darwen CID, said home and car owners should ensure that their property is locked up.

A Ford Escort Ghia worth £500 was stolen from Harwood Street between 6pm on Sunday and 8.40am on Monday and was found abandoned soon after.

During the same weekend, a house in Harwood Street was burgled but nothing was stolen.

And between 6 and 6.30pm on Sunday, a Nissan Primera was badly damaged in Crewdson Street.

DS Counsell said: "The back windscreen had been smashed and there were dents on the roof to suggest someone had jumped on top of it.

"We are not automatically linking the incidents but because there have been quite a few in that same area recently, we want people to be aware of it."

Anyone with information about any of the crimes should contact CID.