Christmas presents are among a number of items which have been stolen following hundreds of reported burglaries.

People are being urged to make their homes as unattractive as possible to keep thieves out and their properties secure after 324 burglaries at homes, which include sheds and garages, were reported to Kent Police between Monday, December 3 and Monday, December 17.

In the last couple of days a number of other homes have also reportedly been broken into and presents have been stolen.

On Sunday, December 16, between 10pm and 6.30am a home was broken into in Thistle Road, Gravesend while the homeowers slept.

Then on Monday, December 16, between midnight and 6am a home was broken into in The Coppice, in Vigo.

A home in Snodland was also broken into on Monday December 17 at about 4am and three cars were stolen after the keys were taken from within the home and numerous Christmas presents were taken.

Discarded presents were later found at a car park on Townsend Road in town.

Other presents which hadn’t been stolen from this property were also found.

Three homes in Downs Road and Istead Rise, Gravesend, had power tools, horse tack and quad bike stolen from their sheds on Saturday December 15 and Sunday December 16.

Earlier this week, a family who live in Istead Rise also had sentimental decorations stolen from outside their home.

Chief Insp Guy Thompson said: "For two weeks, 324 burglaries is a high number, however in the context of having over 1.5 million people living in Kent I would like to reassure the public that the chances of becoming a victim of burglary are quite small.

"Residents can take simple crime prevention steps to keep their homes secure.

"In the meantime I would recommend residents take steps to make sure their homes are secure and deter would-be offenders this Christmas." - Chief Insp Guy Thompson

"We are continuing our focus on catching and convicting burglar’s right across the county to ensure that people’s homes are not targeted this Christmas.

"Burglary is a terrible crime that can leave victims feeling scared and anxious long after the offences have taken place and we want to do all we can to prevent these offences.

"In the meantime I would recommend residents take steps to make sure their homes are secure and deter would-be offenders this Christmas."

Every winter Kent Police runs Operation Castle to target burglars when the number of offences traditionally rise as the day light hours become shorter.

Most burglaries happen when you are most likely to be out. As well as locking up each time you leave, you can also lock windows, side gates and garages and turn on burglar alarms

People can consider marking valuables to assist with identification and us timers for internal lighting.

Anyone with any information which could assist officers with these break-ins and thefts s or if you recognise any of the items in the images and can prove they belong to you, can pop into their nearest police station.