POLICE are warning householders to take extra care to beat crime now the summer months arrive.

Officers say the warm weather often means residents leave windows open longer than they should in the evening.

Thieves are then able to climb through an opened window or sneak through a door that would normally be shut.

Each year the police see a rise in this type of burglary, and already a number of offences have been reported in Hyndburn.

Sgt Claire Holbrook of Accrington police said: "As the warmer weather approaches we are seeing a seasonal rise in burglary in the town due to people leaving their windows open as they go to bed at night."

She said that an open window was an invitation to opportunist burglars who were able to get into properties without causing a disturbance.

The police are also warning householders not to leave keys in a door after locking up for the night.

Burglars have been known to use the key to get out of the property without making any noise.