POLICE in Ledbury are urging householders to remain on their guard as a spate of burglaries in the town continues.

Even though the burglaries have slowed down with the arrival of lighter nights, police say the issue has not stopped completely and people should remain highly vigilant.

There were four burglaries in the Ledbury area from the start of March to the end of April.

Ledbury mayor Cllr Annette Crowe, said: "It's really disappointing that this is still ongoing.

"Burglary is a problem in every town and city, but people should be vigilant and take measures such as leaving the lights on, and good neighbours are probably the best deterrent. If people see anything suspicious, they should phone the police."

Detective Constable Laurence James, of Hereford CID said: "The burglaries have gone down a great deal but unfortunately have not stopped completely."

Welcoming the fall in burglaries, DC James said: "This could be due to several things. It may well be that some offenders have been locked up for other offences, lighter evenings or the offenders have stopped for some other reason."

A court case being heard at Shrewsbury Crown Court, which may be linked to previous Ledbury burglaries, is still to be concluded.

Four men pleaded not guilty to a number of burglaries in the Midlands area, including in Ledbury. They will be tried at Shrewsbury Crown Court on Monday, June 20.

Ledbury has suffered from a run of house break-ins during the past two years or so, with more than 20 logged in the town.

The last local burglary was reported to Ledbury police on April 22 at a rural isolated cottage in Bosbury.

Offenders gained entry "by unknown means" and stole a coin collection. The offence is believed to have taken place between Monday, April 18 and Friday, April 22. Crime ref: 22ED/29766D/16

DC James said: "Prior to that was an attempted burglary in Aston Close, Ledbury where someone was seen to poke a broom handle through the letterbox of an address. No entry was gained." This failed attempt at a break-in took place on Tuesday, April 19. Crime ref: 22ED/28930V/16

Between Wednesday, March 2 and Thursday, March 3 a detached house in Newbury Park was entered by offenders who "smashed the lower glass pane in a double glazed rear door before conducting an untidy search of the house and stealing cash and jewellery". Crime ref: 22ED/1605V/16

Between 7pm on Saturday March 5 and 12.20am on Sunday March 6, intruders prised a rear patio door to gain entry into a detached house in Churchill Meadows, and made off with "a quantity of jewellery". Crime ref: 22ED/16718W/16

Anyone with information about these burglaries can call police on 101, quoting the crime numbers.