Police are urging Sheringham residents to 'pull together to catch criminals' after a recent spate of burglaries sparked a spike in the crime figures.

PC Ian Smith told Sheringham Town Council that there were 26 crimes between January 11 and February 5 - a 136pc increase on the 11 during the same period in 2011.

He said the rise was largely down to 14 incidents of thefts from sheds, outbuildings and homes - and urged people to think about setting up Home Watch schemes to improve their security.

As recently reported, two meetings have been called by police in Sheringham to publicise Home Watch - at St Andrew's Methodist Church at 7pm on February 20 and at 10am on February 22.

PC Smith said: 'I would like to say 2012 has started positively, but I can't. We have had a spate of burglaries from sheds, outbuildings and some people's homes.

'The main targets are metals, tools and electrical items. There have been 14 crimes of this nature, largely in a small area of the town.'

He added: 'We are looking for patterns of offending and known offenders who may have links to these crimes.'

He said leaflets had been delivered to residents to warn them about the thefts and to urge them to be security conscious.

PC Smith said: 'We are going to encourage the residents of Sheringham to start up Home Watches. I would like to see the people of Sheringham pulling together to catch criminals carrying out these invasive crimes.'