Police in Lowestoft are urging residents to step up security after a number of homes were burgled over the past few days.

Among the burglaries are:

A break-in at a home in Green Drive between 1.10pm and 10.20pm on Thursday where a quantity of cash was stolen.

Cash was also stolen in a break-in at a home in Rock Road between 7pm and 7.50pm on Thursday.

Items of jewellery, including a ladies gold puzzle ring, gold earrings, a silver and gold fossil necklace with a heart pendant, a white gold ring with small diamonds around the band and a number of wrist watches, and a games console and games were among the items stolen from a home at Anchor Way in Carlton Colville between 6pm and 8pm on Wednesday.

Jewellery was also stolen from a home in Rye Close in Carlton Colville between 1.30pm and 1.45pm on Wednesday.

The jewellery was of great sentimental value and included an oval shaped locket on a gold chain and a silver cluster engagement ring.

Two properties in Prospect Place were broken into between 10am on Tuesday and 5pm on Wednesday. At this stage it appears nothing was stolen from either premises but damage was caused to both to gain entry and a search made.

There was also a break-in at Highland Way, between 9am and 9.10pm on Tuesday and a purse containing cash and cards were stolen.

Finally there was another burglary at Cliftonville Road between 4pm and 4.25pm on Monday where a purse and similar contents were stolen.

Police are continuing uniform and plain clothes patrols to target offenders and enquiries are underway into all these incidents, but officers are urging residents to take steps to protect their homes.

In several of these cases garden tools were used to break into the premises and police are urging residents not to leave tools in gardens or in unlocked sheds.

Officers are also again asking residents to leave a light or two on at their home if they are going out. If you're going out during the hours of darkness – or don't get home until after it is dark – leave a light or two on.

If you are going away for a longer period please consider a lights on timer device. These are available from most good DIY stores for around �5 and can be set to turn a light on at dusk and off later.

Anyone who was in the area of any of these burglaries at the relevant times and who noticed anything suspicious, or anyone with information about those responsible, is asked to contact Lowestoft CID on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously if required, on 0800 555 111.

If you notice anything unusual please alert police immediately using 999. Officers are on patrol 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and would rather be called and find it is a false alarm than have more residents homes burgled.

Suffolk Police is currently running the campaign 'Operation Drawbridge', which aims to reduce the number of burglaries by encouraging homeowners to take simple measures to protect their house, and to increase the amount of crimes solved by calling upon members of the public to provide police with crucial information to help bring those responsible to justice.