A PROLIFIC burglar is on the run -- and police said he would not think twice about stealing the presents from your Christmas trees.

Residents are being warned to be vigilant after heroin addict Lee Peter Holden, whose last address was Roebuck Close, in Galligreaves, Blackburn, absconded from Kirkham Prison, near Preston two weeks ago.

He is thought to have fled to the Darwen area. Police said that they expected him to be "desperate not dangerous" as he sought ways of funding his habit.

Holden, 26, specialises in shed burglaries, but is an opportunist who will break into houses if he sees a chance, according to police.

Officers said there had been an increase in shed burglaries in Darwen since he escaped -- although those crimes remained unsolved and there was nothing to suggest he was responsible.

In July 2001, Holden escaped from Sudbury Prison, near Ashbourne, in Derbyshire, and spent a fortnight on the run before being placed in a more secure unit.

He was serving 18 months for burglary, for which he had 12 convictions by that time.

Police today said that Holden had committed a number of burglaries during the past 14 months.

In June, Holden was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison for burgling a Blackburn house, when other offences were taken into consideration. He was restrained by the householder until the police arrived after being caught rifling through cupboards in the bedroom.

Det Con Tom Riley, of Blackburn police's burglary team, said: "I think people should be concerned because he has been out for a couple of weeks.

"He has exhausted the help of most of his friends and family with what he has done previously.

"He wouldn't think twice about breaking into someone's house and stealing presents from under the Christmas tree.

"He is opportunist and if he sees a chance, he will take it. I don't want to frighten people, he is not violent -- he just tries to fund his drug habit.

"He is well-known in Darwen and Blackburn, so if anyone recognises him they should contact us immediately."

Kirkham Prison is an open prison. According to the latest report, 18 prisoners a month abscond from it.

David Thomas, prison governor, vowed to look at ways to reduce that figure in October, but said it was a national problem, not just related to Kirkham.

A spokesman for the Prison Service confirmed that Holden absconded on November 29.

Anyone with information should call Blackburn police on 01254 51212 or the burglary team on 07951060313.