OFFICERS are warning residents to be on their guard after a spate of eight burglaries in three days in a Hampshire borough.

Police are investigating whether the incidents in Fareham – three of them taking place in the same road in 24 hours – could be linked.

The figure compares to a total of 85 for the year.

Burglars got into a house in Hill Park Road, Fareham, while owners were out and took jewellery and cameras on December 4.

They targeted another unoccupied home in Thames Drive, Fareham, on December 4 between 4pm and 8pm, getting in through the back and taking £1,000 in cash and some jewellery.

A house in John Bunyan Close, in Whiteley, was also hit when burglars got in and stole two rings from a bedside table on December 4, between 6pm and 11pm.

Thieves picked on Newtown Road in Warsash three times – the first property where they stole jewellery on December 5 between 3pm and 7pm and the second where they smashed a window to get into the home and took a gold watch and gold chain on the same day between 3pm and 10pm.

They also forced open a shed and attempted to get into a property between 3pm on December 5 and 8.30am the next day.

There was also an attempted break-in where a window was smashed but nothing taken at Curlew Drive, Portchester, between 6.30pm and 7.30pm on December 6 while burglars attempted to break into a property at Hill Croft, Fareham, between 3pm December 5 and 11am December 6.

Responding to the spate, a police spokesman advised residents to shut all windows and doors and lock them when out of a room, at night or when you go out.

People were also told to make sure keys are out of sight and reach and to install an alarm and security lighting.

Other advice included leaving a light on when for the evening, not to leave ladders or tools in the garden and to prevent access to the rear of the property, install an alarm and security lighting.