Detectives are urging homeowners to be on their guard against a technique that burglars have been known to use to identify vulnerable properties.

Stickers are placed on doors or letterboxes of houses advertising a locksmith service but the phone number is not registered.

If it is not removed, burglars presume the house is empty or the owners are away.

Placing the notice also gives them the opportunity to scout out the building and look through windows, but to be able to explain themselves if stopped and questioned.

Since November 2012, more than 425 burglaries and attempted break-ins in the district have been reported to the News Extra. The latest incidents are as follows:

Gardening power tools stolen from a barn in Highsted Valley, Rodmersham, between November 24-26 – ref: XY/038289/13.

A CD player taken from a property in Bull Lane, Newington, between November 26-27 – XY/038342/13.

Thieves made off with a laptop from a property in Emerald Crescent, Sonora Fields, between November 29-30 – XY/038840/1.

A window was smashed and medication stolen from the Co-op pharmacy in East Street, Sittingbourne, just before 9pm on Monday, November 25 – XY/038213/13.

Power tools were stolen from a rear garden workshop in Bexon Lane, Bredgar, between November 28-29 – XY/038608/13.

Two bicycles taken from a garage off Bradley Drive, Sittingbourne, on November 25 – XY/038426/13.

Power tools stolen from a garage in Hearts Delight Road, Tunstall, between November 26-28 – XY/038521/13.

On November 30, back garden outbuildings in Hearts Delight Road, Tunstall, were burgled and power tools stolen – XY/038741/13.

A burglary occurred in Manor Grove, Sittingbourne, during the evening of November 30 –XY/038833/13.

Power tools stolen from a garden shed in Vectis Drive, Kemsley, on November 27 –XY/038679/13.

Computer items taken in a burglary in Addington Road, Sittingbourne, on November 30 – XY/038845/13.

Anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting the relevant number.

• A 32-year-old Sittingbourne man was arrested on suspicion of burglary at the Co-op pharmacy and released on bail until January 13 pending further inquiries.