SIDMOTHIANS are being warned to make their homes as secure as possible after a spate of burglaries in the town.

SIDMOTHIANS are being warned to make their homes as secure as possible after a spate of burglaries in the town.Thieves smashed the rear patio doors of a home in Balfours when they broke in between 3pm on Sunday, March 9, and 1.30pm on Monday, March 10.Police sergeant Andy Turner believed the break-in could be connected with other crimes in Exmouth and Seaton and a number of offences in the Sidmouth area.He said: "We are warning the public that the properties they seem to be targeting are unoccupied, where people have gone on holiday, are away overnight or are in hospital. "Homeowners should try and increase security measures, by using an alarm or leaving lights on, to try and deter burglars. Let your neighbours know that the property is going to be unoccupied and ask them to keep an eye on it."He said people should call 999 if they saw anything suspicious. "Don't wait and assume someone else will report it. The suspects may be local and we want to try and stop them before someone else becomes a victim."Anyone with information about the burglary should contact 08452 777444 quoting crime number KS/08/153.