in while they are eating or watching TV.

That was the warning yesterday from Police following a spate of break-ins during the early evening, when residents were at home.

"In one case the people were in another section of the house, dining,'' said Police spokeswoman Sgt. Roseanda Jones. "In another case they were watching TV in another section.

"The sad part of it is that it's happening everywhere. I can't really say that it's one particular person in a concentrated area.

"It's in Pembroke, Southampton, Devonshire and Smith's. It's all over. It's unfortunate but it seems as though the answer is to lock ourselves in our homes to help prevent crimes such as these.'' Already this week more than a dozen homes have been broken into, netting thieves thousands of dollars worth of cash and personal belongings.

A number of the break-ins were in the evening, from homes where residents were inside but doors or windows were unlocked.

"We've had this before, but in the last couple of days there have just been so many, in the early evenings,'' said Sgt. Jones.

"A lot of it has happened when the people can't see these insecure doors or windows, or they're not close to them.

"We're very concerned about the way the offences are taking place. "What the thief is doing is just opening the door and reaching his hand in, or walking in and picking up a purse or a wallet or whatever's close, usually in a kitchen.

"Residents should have some sort of security even if they're at home. "We are warning against keeping large sums of money at home. If this is unavoidable, hide it in a safe place. Try not to leave handbags and wallets close to doorways and windows.'' Five thousand Italian lire, some Canadian cash and a UK five pound note were snatched during a break-in at an unoccupied Devonshire home during daytime on Tuesday.

Police appealed to businesses and banks to contact them if they notice the currency.

Det. Sgt. Stuart Crockwell has again appealed for help from anyone who may have bought stolen fish from a person posing as a fisherman between Saturday and Monday in St. George's.