Have you double locked your back doors? Police in Braintree district are urging families to be more vigilant after 27 burglaries, or attempted burglaries, were reported in 26 days.

The mini crime wave has been taking place across Braintree, Halstead and Witham and averages out at more than one incident every day.

The first break-in was reported on November 22 and the more recent burglary was December 18.

In a number of the incidents, the suspects got in through uPVC doors that had not been double-locked.

DC Greg Najdan, of Braintree CID, said: “We have had a number of burglaries in the last month, all in the early hours of the morning.

“We are investigating these incidents and are looking into whether any of them are linked.

“We’re appealing for witnesses and anyone with information about any of these break-ins to come forward.

“I ask people to be vigilant for anyone acting suspiciously and to take some simple measures to secure your homes as burglars look for easy opportunities.

“If you have uPVC doors, make sure the handles are pushed up and then put the key in and lock the doors to ensure they are double locked.

“Also lock all windows with keys, if they are provided.”

When were the burglaries?

• Burglary in Plains Field, Braintree, overnight on November 22 in which a handbag was stolen.

• Two burglaries overnight in Braintree on November 29. Nothing was stolen from a home in Telford Road. A handbag was stolen from a home in Clairmont Close.

• Attempted burglary in Longacres, Braintree, in the early hours of November 30.

• Two burglaries on December 3. A suspect entered a home in Penticton Road, Braintree, in the early hours but was disturbed by the owner and nothing was stolen. Two handbags, a watch and cash were stolen from a home in Conies Road, Halstead.

• Attempted burglary at a home in Wickham Crescent, Braintree, overnight on December 4.

• Two burglaries in Braintree in the early hours of December 5. A purse and watch were taken from a home in Giffins Close in the early hours and the burglars also entered a van outside and stole a radio and laser level tool. A wallet was stolen from a home in Milton Avenue and a bank card was later used to withdraw cash.

• Three burglaries in Witham in the early hours of December 8. A handbag and Apple iPad were stolen from a home in Yew Close, and the burglars also searched through a car outside but did not take anything. A handbag, Samsung mobile phone and Apple iPad were stolen from a home in Holly Walk. A handbag was stolen from a home in Chestnut Walk. The burglars also searched through a car outside but did not take anything.

• Handbags and a wallet were stolen from a home in Deanery Gardens, Braintree, overnight on December 9. Bank cards that were stolen were later used to withdraw money.

• Three burglaries overnight on December 10: A black Mercedes CL220D and wallets and a purse were stolen from a home in Johnson Close, Braintree. The car was later found in Stisted. Cash and a purse were stolen from a home in White Horse Avenue, Halstead. A handbag was stolen from a home in Church Lane, Braintree.

• A handbag was stolen from a home in Stanley Road, Halstead, in the early hours of December 11.

• A purse was stolen from a home in Johnson Close, Braintree, sometime between the afternoon of December 10 and the afternoon of December 11.

• Three burglaries in Braintree, overnight on December 13: A laptop and purse were stolen from a home in George Road. Two handbags were stolen from a home in Hunnable Road and were later recovered but car keys were taken from inside. A purse was stolen from a home in Grenville Road.

• Four burglaries in Braintree in the early hours of December 14: A suspect entered a home in Hunnable Road but was disturbed by the owner and nothing was stolen. An iPhone 6s and cash was stolen from a home in Grenville Road. Keys and a jacket were stolen from a home in Francis Road. Two mobile phones were stolen from a home in Panfield Lane.

• A handbag was stolen from a home in Queens Road, Braintree, in the early hours of December 15.

• A suspect entered a home in Calamint Road, Witham, in the early hours of December 18 but was disturbed by the owner. Nothing was stolen.

Anyone with information is asked to call Braintree CID on 101.

For more information on home security, visit the Essex Police website