A WARNING to double lock doors and close windows despite the hot weather has been issued by police in the wake of three break-ins in St Albans at the weekend.

Overnight on Saturday July 13, a PVCu front door was forced in Toulmin Drive, St Albans, and house and car keys were stolen which were used to drive off in the Honda Civic parked on the driveway.

Also that night, a PVCu door which was closed but not double locked in Connaught Road, St Albans, was forced open and as well as the theft of two handbags, a Ford Focus was also stolen.

The third incident at around 4am on that night found a thief attempt to climb into a window in Cavan Drive, St Albans, but he was disturbed and ran off.

St Albans district sergeant for Operation Scorpion - a Herts Police initiative targeting burglars, robbers and those involved in drug and vehicle-related crime - Sophia Pidgeon said: “Leaving your windows open - despite the oppressive heat - is making your home vulnerable to opportunist burglars.”

Advice issued includes closing and locking all windows when a house is unoccupied, lifting the handle and using the key on PVCu doors, keeping car and house keys out of site and making a house looked lived-in when the occupants are away.

Anyone with information about the three burglaries is asked to contact police on the non-emergency number 101.