A spate of break-ins in the Walderslade area of Chatham has prompted police to issued some burglary prevention advice.

Officers say they would like to remind people to keep their properties secure and safe after reports of break-ins happening in the Walderslade Woods area.

Several homes were broken into in the area between Wednesday, November 30, and Tuesday, December 6.

A home in Hurst Hill was broken into at some point between 10pm Tuesday, December 6 and 6.34am the next morning and thieves took a grey Mercedes from the property.

Another home in Tunbury Avenue, was broken into between 11.20pm and 11.30pm on the same night and a Volkswagen Golf was taken by thieves.

Thieves stuck again at another home in Hurst Hill between 6pm on Wednesday, November 30, and 1.30pm the next day and stole jewellery from the property.

A fourth reported break-in, again in Hurst Hill, happened between 8am and 7pm on November 30, where thieves stole a laptop.

Police say no suspects have been identified yet, but that inquiries are ongoing and have issued the following advice.

Homeowners should always ensure their home is locked each time they leave and overnight.

If you have a uPVC door, ensure they are double locked and keep keys, cash and expensive items out of view from the outside.

Also use timer switches on lights and radios to make homes look occupied and keep gates locked and boundaries secure and lock away bikes, tools and garden items which could be stolen or used to break into properties.

If you know anything about the burglaries or saw someone suspicious in the area, call Kent Police on 01622 604100 quoting YY/22279/16.