POLICE in Nelson are urging residents to keep their doors locked even when they are at home.

The warning follows two incidents in which burglars have entered premises and stolen property when the residents have been in the house.

It only takes a thief seconds to open an unlocked door, sneak in and steal property, a police spokesman warned.

In the early hours of Sunday a burglar got into a house in Romney Street and stole a purse and small amount of cash from the living room.

In a similar incident on Sunday lunchtime a thief got in through the unlocked back door and stole a handbag, purse, cash and a mobile phone from the kitchen.

Anyone who saw anyone acting suspiciously in those areas or who has any other information about the crimes is asked to contact Nelson CID on 01282 472645 or ring Crimestoppers free and in confidence on 0800 555111.