Police have sent out a warning to careless householders to secure their property after an upsurge in burglaries committed by thieves gaining access through open windows and unlocked doors.

More than 60 per cent of household thefts which have occurred in Chorley during the last two weeks have needed no forced entry.

And with warmer weather forecast police hope residents will not make life easy for sneak-in thieves who let themselves in.

Acting detective inspector Jo South said: "Eight out of 13 burglaries recently have happened in this way. These thieves are just being opportunist and would almost certainly think twice if they weren't given such an easy chance.

"Officers on night patrols have been alerting people who have left their property insecure but it is up to each individual to make it less likely that they will be the next victim of this sort of crime."

Meanwhile, police in Chorley are also investigating a spate of break-ins and thefts at schools and a college over the weekend.

At the Lancashire College site on Southport Road, a wooden door was forced open and a window broken before two computers were stolen valued at £1,000. Boxes of crisps and canned drinks were taken from the catering area of St Michael's High School, Astley Road, on Saturday evening after a window was broken to gain entry.

At Duke Street Primary School, graffiti was daubed on brickwork and at St Joseph's Primary, Cedar Road, around £400 of damage was caused to building equipment and windows.

Anyone with information on the burglaries or school break-ins should call Chorley Police on 01257 246222 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.