POLICE are urging residents to keep windows and doors locked after a string of burglaries.

Thieves have targeted nine city homes since the end of June after residents left windows and doors open.

They stole cars, handbags and cash from the homes which were all in the Shirley area.

Now the police are advising residents to keep doors and windows shut and locked, especially on the ground floor unless they are in the same room.

They also recommend keeping valuable items out of view and registering them on immobilise.com a database used by police to return stolen items.

Anyone with any information about the burglaries is also asked to contact Detective Constable Abigail Leeson at Shirley CID on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.