POLICE this afternoon appealed for witnesses after a house was burgled in Bretch Hill, Banbury.

The raiders broke into a house in Miller Road through an insecure back door and stole a Hewlett Packard 420 digital camera between 10pm on Friday and 7am Saturday.

PC Mike Welsh said: "I'd like hear from people in the area who may have seen anyone acting suspiciously on Friday night.

"I'd also like to take this opportunity to remind residents they need to make sure their properties are as secure as possible, especially if you are out for most of the day and even more so as the nights draw in.

"If are going out during the day and come back after dark, leave a light on or ideally use a timer switch so it looks as if someone is in. Burglars always go for the easy option. If your house is in dark in the evening, it's a giveaway to burglars that nobody is in!

November traditionally sees an increase in burglaries in all areas of Thames Valley with darker evenings and as people starting to store presents in the run up to Christmas.

PC Welsh added: "Can I also appeal for anyone who saw people acting suspiciously in the Queensway area to come forward. We all need to look out for our neighbours while they are not around and add to our collective security."