SNEAKY thieves are taking advantage of the hot weather by entering houses in Hampshire through unlocked doors or open windows.

In the past week, four burglaries took place in the Basingstoke and Deane area where offenders have gained access via open doors or windows.

These include the burglary of a house in Cliddesden Road, Cliddesden, on Thursday, July 18, when an elderly woman reported that a man had stolen cash after entering her home through an open front door.

A total of 12 similar burglaries have been reported in Andover, Hart and Rushmoor, and the Winchester and East Hampshire districts.

Hampshire Constabulary has issued crime prevention advice following the burglaries.

This includes keeping doors and windows locked while working in the garden, shutting car windows and sunroofs even if the car is parked on the driveway and not leaving power tools around while working in your front garden.

Graeme Barbour, crime prevention officer, said: “While we appreciate that a lot of this advice may seem like common sense, if you think back to what you did this weekend and how secure you think your home was, it may surprise you.

“It’s easy to get carried away enjoying your barbecue in your back garden and forget that your front door is unlocked, or that your iPad is sitting on the table in easy reach of an open window.”