Local police are reminding residents to make their homes look occupied in the early evenings following two local house burglaries.

There have been some recent burglaries in Court Road and Church Road in Ross and the police want anyone who sees anything they think is suspicious to call them straight away. They also want to encourage residents to keep their home lit when they are out. A spokesman told teh Ross gazette: "A well-lit home gives the impression that someone is in. Please think about using timer switches to turn lights on when you are out and consider investing in external lighting as well."

As darkness fall earlier, it is easy to go out in the mornings leaving lights off and curtains open.

This is a sure sign to burglars in the late afternoon, early evening, that a house is unoccpied if they are looking for potential places to steal from.

The police are urging householders to ’Lighten up’ their house as the darker nights approach. When they are out consider leaving a light on inside to give the impression that someone is in, using timer switches if necessary and where possible to invest in external lighting.

The police have recently charged several individuals in relation to recent burglaries in Ledbury but urge local residents to continue to work with them and try to reduce the opportunity for further offending. The police will be carrying out patrols in Ross and Ledbury and distributing crime prevention advice where it is required.

House burglary remains a rare crime in West Mercia and the police want to reduce every opportunity for further offences.