POLICE have urged householders to lock their doors following a spate of sneak-in burglaries.

Inspector Dave Marshall, of Chester-le-Street police, County Durham, said groups of burglars had been "very active" in the town and surrounding villages over the past month.

Nine sneak-in thefts were reported during October, with five in the last weekend.

Insp Marshall said: "There is a group of young men going from house to house, trying the back doors. If they are open, they sneak in and steal handbags and purses from kitchen tables.

"In some instances they have taken the car keys and then stolen the car, which is later found burned out."

He added: "They are very active at the moment and I am appealing to members of the public help prevent them committing offences, by locking their doors behind them.

"It is amazing just how many people do just walk in and leave their doors open. The thefts are happening specially in the early to late evening."

Insp Marshall said police had been conducting a large operation to tackle the problem and several arrests had been made over the past two weeks, but the thefts were still continuing.

Anyone who notices anything suspicious or who has any information about the thefts is asked to contact the police on 0191-3864929.