A MESSAGE to residents in Darlington to be more vigilant about their home security is being put out by the town's neighbourhood watch following a suspicious incident.

On Tuesday evening a youth rang a doorbell and spoke to a resident at an address in St Paul's Place.

When the occupant later went through to the back of the house the youth, who was wearing a white baseball cap, black tracksuit bottoms and a brightly-coloured shirt, was standing in the garden.

Darlington's Neighbourhood Watch liaison officer, Jacqui Snowball, said: "This event was considered suspicious as the youth had no real reason for calling at this address.

"No offences have been committed, but the suspicions this incident has raised are a timely reminder of the need to be vigilant regarding the security of your home."

Residents are advised not to leave doors and windows open during warmer weather when there is no one in the house.

Door entry chimes, which detect movement, are available for £12 from the Darlington Community Safety Partnership office, in Gladstone Street.