POLICE in Pendle are trying to stem a rise in burglary throughout Nelson, Brierfield and Barrowford by urging people to lock up their property.

April saw the highest number of offences on record for two years and that May looks set to follow suit, unless people lock their windows and doors at night.

Officers say 14 homeowners have already fallen prey to thieves since May 1 and in the majority of cases, burglars didn't even have to force entry to homes they simply walked through unlocked doors or climbed through open windows.

Insp Jon Bullas said: "We are doing everything we can to track down the people responsible for this rise in burglary and we are confident that we will find them and arrest them.

"However, the vast majority of these offences are entirely preventable. We are urging people to secure their property.

"People should never leave their door unlocked or their windows open at night.

"If they do, they are simply inviting a thief into their home."