SMASH AND grab burglars are on a new year rampage, using tools from people’s garden sheds to force their way in to homes.

The opportunist thieves are scaling fences, using alleyways to sneak into gardens and using hand tools to prise open doors or smash windows.

Despite overall crime being down in Southampton, there has been an unprecedented number of break-ins since the start of the year – averaging around six every night and some are happening when residents are at home.

Now police are warning residents to be extra vigilant and review their home security as they try to catch the culprits.

Since January 1, officers have received 32 reports of burglary at homes in Southampton. That’s a rise of 68 per cent against the same time last year when there were 19 reported in the same time.

The thieves are particularly targeting the Portswood and Polygon areas, where there are large numbers of shared homes while properties have also been hit in Bassett, Coxford, Millbrook and Banister Park.

Alarmingly, many of them have been left insecure, with doors or windows left unlocked. But in other cases, the burglars are forcing their way inside via the back of homes, taking gardening tools from unlocked garden sheds to prise their way in.

Police have also revealed that the problem was on the increase throughout December – with 139 house burglaries reported compared to 114 in the same period in 2009 – almost a 22 per cent rise. The range of property stolen has included everything from flat screen televisions, games consoles and games, laptops, mobile phones, photographic equipment, cash and jewellery.

Chief Inspector Stuart Murray said: “We are doing everything we can to identify offenders and bring them to justice but, we really do need householders to make it more difficult for the opportunist burglar to commit the crime in the first place.

“There are many crime prevention measures that can be implemented and our crime prevention officers or officers from our Safer Neighbourhoods teams are always willing to provide advice if required.

Chief Insp Murray added: “Once the burglar has committed the crime, they will try and dispose of the items, often for a fraction of their market price. We would therefore urge anyone who has been approached or knows of anyone who has bought unboxed items cheaply to contact us.”

Call 101 or the Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.

Beat the burglars

■ Always lock external doors
■ Don’t leave keys in the door
■ Don’t leave keys or valuables near to doors or windows
■ Close and secure windows, especially at night
■ Keep an eye out for neighbours
■ Be wary of doorstep callers
■ Report any suspicious people or vehicles
■ Lock sheds and garages and keep tools locked away
■ Use timer switches to light your home and turn on radios
■ Mark property with your postcode and house number with a UV marker pen to help identify it if it’s stolen and later recovered