BURGLARIES that have all used the same technique to break door locks have prompted a warning by police for residents to improve their home security.

Houses in Ewelme, Didcot and Wallingford have all been targeted by burglars using a “lock-snapping” technique, where the door lock is broken by applying force to the lock cylinder.

Police said Euro cylinders are particularly vulnerable, and upgrading to a “Break Secure” cylinder or a mortice deadlock can cut the risk of being burgled.

In Didcot, a house in Mowbray Road was searched between December 1 and December 15.

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Burglars got in by climbing over a gate to the back garden and forcing the back door into the kitchen. It is not known if anything was stolen.

Between 7pm on Thursday, December 11, and 10am on Friday, December 12, a house in Chiltern Crescent, Wallingford, was burgled. Police said burglars got in through a back door and a conservatory and stole gold jewellery and a tablet computer.

The third house targeted was in Parsons Lane, Ewelme, between midnight and 11am on Sunday, December 14. Police said burglars got in through a kitchen window and stole £200 cash and bank cards.

Det Insp Paul Powell said the force was keeping an open mind about whether the burglaries were linked.

Call 101 with any information.

 

 

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