DETECTIVES are warning people in Darlington to be vigilant after a spate of sneak-in thefts.

Police are trying to keep down the number of house burglaries in the town, but say they need the help of the public. They are concerned after a number of burglaries in Darlington over the past few days.

Detectives say the burglaries were preventable because, on each occasion, thieves gained access through insecure doors.

Detective Chief Inspector Ian Macdonald said: "This spate of burglaries could skew our figures, and this is something we don't want.

"Our message to people in Darlington is be vigilant and always lock your doors, both during the day and at a night.