RESIDENTS in the Belgrave area of Darwen are being targeted by a 'professional' burglar, police have warned.

House-to-house calls by the police have already been made in the area and Crimestoppers leaflets given out in a bid to prevent the break-ins.

Sgt Andrea Bradbury of Darwen police said there been a pattern of break-ins off the Bolton Road -- with at least six happening in the last month. All houses have been broken into during the day or early evening and she believed an 'experienced' burglar was behind them.

Springfield Street, Cemetery Road, Everton Street, Punstock Road, Manor Road and Carr Road have all been targeted. Sgt Bradbury said: "The properties all seem to be within a circle around Punstock Road and it doesn't seem to matter what type of houses they are.

"They are broken into from the back, often after the burglar has climbed over a wall, and in most cases patio doors are forced.

"This is quite a good quality thief and on one occasion a security light was bent over and wiring was tampered with."

She added that the houses were being broken into with tools taken from the householders' sheds or garages. She said: "The burglar is using those instruments to force entry to the property and people should put tools like these under lock and key."

The latest house to be broken into was in Carr Road on Tuesday, when £4,000 of goods were taken between 8am and 5pm. The glass panel of the UVPC back door was broken and the burglar went into all the rooms in the house.

A JVC video recorder, camera, two Raymond Weil watches and a large amount of jewellery, including a sapphire and diamond ring, a gold chain with the initial E on it and a distinctive scarecrow pendant were stolen.

And a week ago a House on Punstock Road was broken into after the intruder used a sledgehammer from the householder's garage to get in.

Sgt Bradbury appealed to people in the area to be vigilant if they saw anyone acting suspiciously in the area and to be wary if anyone tried to sell them electrical goods or jewellery.

Anyone with any information on these break-ins should call Darwen police on 01254 701777 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.