BURGLARS are taking advantage of the warmer weather to raid Colchester homes.

Detectives are investigating a number of burglaries and thefts around the borough since the weather improved.

On Monday, March 10, thieves broke into a house in Claudius Road between 10.30am and 2.30pm.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: "The front door was forced to gain entry and two laptop computers, a mini DVD player, a digital TV tuner, three watches and a black Sony Ericsson mobile phone were taken."

The second burglary took place between 11.30pm on Sunday March 16 and 4.40am on Monday March 17 at a house in Maximus Drive.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: "Thieves got in through an insecure rear door.

"A messy search was carried out and some property was moved into the garden but nothing was believed to have been taken."

Det Con Emma Jones, of Colchester CID, said: "If anyone saw any suspicious behaviour at either of these locations at the relevant times we would urge them to get in touch.

"I would also ask householders to review their home security as it would appear thieves are currently active in the Colchester area.

"It is always worth going round last thing at night to check all your windows and doors are locked.

"Thieves will always look to target insecure homes and three in 10 burglaries occur at homes that had left windows or doors open.

"It is also worth considering investing in an alarm system and checking your window and door locks are up to the standard"

Anyone with information call Det Con Jones at Colchester police station on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

More information on home security measures can be found at the Be Safe section of Essex Police website: www.essex.police.uk