HOUSEHOLDERS are being warned to keep their doors and windows locked after it was revealed that insurance may not cover all items taken in walk-in burglaries.

The Safer Hartlepool Partnership says that basic security precautions taking just seconds could prevent major losses.

It follows advice from Endsleigh, a leading independent insurer, that items, including money, may not be covered if residents fail to lock their doors and are the victims of a walk-in burglary, with no forced entry.

Company spokesman Tim Larden said: "We know from the levels of claims we are receiving that walk-in thefts account for a significant proportion of burglaries.

"They are especially prevalent given that many people own easy-to-steal valuables now, including lap-top computers and MP3 players, items that a thief can walk away with in minutes."

Michelle Evans, project manager for the Safer Hartlepool Partnership's campaign against walk-in burglaries, said: "This message is targeted at the minority of residents who are still not locking their doors and windows.

"For the time it takes to simply lock a door, you are keeping out the opportune walk-in thief and preventing the upset and inconvenience that inevitably occurs when they strike.

"A large number of walk-in thefts occur when people are actually in their homes, so it is also very important that doors and windows are kept locked even when you are at home."