POLICE in Devizes have warned householders to keep their homes well secured in the run-up to Christmas.

Inspector Pete Bowerbank said: "It is bad enough being burgled at any time of year, but when you have a house full of Christmas presents and other festive things it would be awful."

He said criminals target homes as Christmas approaches trying to get themselves spending money for the festive season.

But, he said, thieves are starting early and are already raiding homes in the area.

On Saturday evening, a couple were sitting watching TV at their home in Netherstreet, Bromham, when an intruder let himself in through an unlocked back door and helped himself to £300 worth of jewellery from an upstairs bedroom.

At 10am on Friday morning £300 cash was taken from a table at a house in Maundrell Close, Rowde, when a thief entered through an open rear door.

The intruder, described as a white man between 5ft 8 and 5ft 11ins tall, with dark curly hair and wearing dark clothing, was confronted by the householder, but he managed to make his escape and ran off.