A spate of burglaries over the weekend has triggered a police warning for residents to remain vigilant.

Kingston police warned that in most of the five burglaries reported over Saturday and Sunday access was gained by rear or side doors during evening hours.

Police are urging residents to keep doors and windows locked even when leaving home for a short time and to make sure side gates and sheds are secure.

With winter nights drawing in police also suggested that if you plan to arrive home after dark you may wish to leave lights on or use timer switches.

Police said all five burglaries are being investigated and one man has been arrested in connection with a burglary in Orchard Road, Kingston.

The other burglaries reported were in Robin Hood Way, Coombe Gardens, Anglesea Road and Revell Road.

Detective Superintended Tony Skinner said: “It is obviously early days but we will leave no stone unturned to bring these criminals to justice.”

Police said over the weekend there were also two distraction robberies reported. An attempted one in New Malden High Street where no property was taken and a second in Clarence Street, Kingston, where police said suspects got away with a mobile phone.

A total of 19 arrests were made by Kingston police over the weekend. Three for drink driving, two for public order offences, seven for shoplifting, four for violence and one for possession of a knife.