Opportune thieves have been cashing in on the good weather, snatching handbags through open windows and strolling in through open doors.

A Ted Baker handbag was stolen from a house in Hawthorn Close in Bury St Edmunds on Wednesday night/Thursday morning.

The thief reached in through an open window and grabbed the bag while the victim slept on the sofa.

Later on Thursday morning, another handbag was stolen when the owner of a home in Clark Walk went upstairs, leaving the rear doors to the property open.

The theft happened between 10.40am and 11.20am.

And between 1am and 7am on Wednesday, a similar burglary happened at a house in Old Church Lane, Westley.

A window was forced open and a purse and wallet were stolen.

Renewing warnings to members of the public, Detective Inspector Nick Power of Bury St Edmunds CID, said: “Our officers are working tirelessly to catch those responsible for these crimes, but we need residents to help us reduce their chances of becoming a victim by remaining vigilant.

“Unfortunately properties are being targeted when people are either asleep in the same room at night or carrying-out tasks in other parts of the house during the daytime.

“Whilst we do live in a generally low-crime area and we want residents to remain feeling safe in their own homes, there is perhaps a feeling of ‘it won’t happen to me’ and many of these burglaries could have been avoided had simple precautions been taken.

“I again urge residents to always ensure that they have locked and secured windows at night and to routinely keep doors locked at all times, even if at home and especially if in other parts of the house.”

Anyone with information about these crimes is asked to contact the Bury St Edmunds priority crime team on 101 quoting reference BU/14/1822, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.