JEWELLERY and cash were stolen from a house in Andover in a spate of burglaries across the county.

Between 6pm on February 26 and 9am on February 28, offenders forced open French doors at a home in Croft Avenue.

Jewellery and cash were taken after burglars ransacked the property.

Hampshire police say that the incident is one of 12 that has taken place between February 24 and March 3 across Andover, Basingstoke, Aldershot and Farnborough, in which the offenders have targeted jewellery.

In an incident on February 28, in Merton Road, Basingstoke, offenders forced the front window of a property open and stole a quantity of jewellery.

The occupant arrived home and disturbed two male offenders, who then made off.

The first male is described as being white with black thinning hair. He is described as chubby and about five foot six inches tall.

The second man was around the same height, dressed in dark clothing with his hood up, no features seen.

Police are now warning residents to be vigilant and have issued advice:

  • Ensure your property is fully secured. Take this opportunity to look around your home and consider improving any areas of poor security.
  • Make sure your home is kept secure at all times. Use window and door locks, as well as timers that switch lights on to make your home look occupied.
  • If you have a house alarm, set it at night and when you leave your property.
  • As with other valuables, do not leave jewellery on display.
  • Photograph your jewellery. Place your valuables against a plain background with a ruler next to it to give an idea of size. Also take a photo of yourself with the jewellery, so you can prove it has been in your possession.
  • Register your property on a free national property register.
  • Don’t advertise your jewellery with photographs on social media.
  • Don't advertise your time away from home on social networking sites, and regularly review your security settings.
  • If you keep a lot of high-valued jewellery at home, consider investing in a monitored alarm system.

Anyone with any information about these burglaries are urged to contact 101, quoting crime reference 44190072587 or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.