POLICE have urged residents of Sherborne and surrounding villages to lock their windows and doors after a pair of burglaries.

Both incidents happened overnight between Friday, February 10, and Saturday, February 11. Police say entry was gained through unlocked back doors.

A flat screen television and keys were stolen from a detached bungalow in Leigh.

On the same night a purse and mobile phone were taken from a detached house near Brister End, Yetminster, some time after 9pm.

The residents were at home at the time and had left a rear door unlocked.

PC Peter Moore, of the Sherborne Rural Safer Neighbourhood team, said: "This type of crime is rare, and can be avoided by remembering to keep doors locked at all times, even when you are at home.

"Residents are encouraged to keep all doors and ground floor windows locked if possible, and those who live in a bungalow can sleep with smaller windows open if they are secured with locks which prevent them from being opened any wider from the outside."

Sgt Ged Want, of Sherborne Police, added: "I would like to reassure the residents of Yetminster and Leigh and the wider Sherborne rural community that dwelling burglaries are very low in this area."

Contact Sherborne Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 800 555 111.