BURGLARS are preying on houses left insecure while residents enjoy warmer spring weather, police have warned.

Almost a fifth of burglaries committed last weekend were down to homeowners leaving doors and windows open.

With sunshine and temperatures of up to 15 degrees celsius expected this weekend, police today warned residents not to give crooks an easy ride.

PC Lindsey Worrall, of Bolton Police, said: "Even in daylight, it's very easy for them to open a front door and grab a set of keys or a handbag.

"We have seen burglars who are willing to squeeze in through small openings in windows.

"With the weather getting warmer we urge people to make sure doors and windows are firmly shut and cannot be opened from the outside."

Five out of the 27 weekend burglaries were down to premises being insecure.