A SPATE of burglaries in and around the Epping Forest District has led to Police issuing extra advice to homeowners.

Essex Police reported four separate burglaries during daylight hours yesterday (November 18) across Epping Forest and Harlow.

The first took place between 1.50pm and 5.10pm at an address in Starling Close, Buckhurst Hill, when a rear kitchen window was forced and jewellery stolen.

Later in the day at 6pm a man knocked on the door of an elderly woman's home in Chapel Road, Epping, pretending to be from the water board and saying there was a problem.

The lady let the man in to her kitchen area where she left him alone for around ten minutes.

When she returned she found a three figure sum of money had been stolen.

The suspect is described as a white man, aged 21-22 years, of slim build, and wearing a dark zipped-up jacket, dark trousers and a hat.

Over in Harlow two houses were also targeted by men claiming to be from the waterboard the same afternoon. Money was stolen from addresses in Little Pynchons and Barn Mead.

Police are advising householders to leave a light on a timer, lock all windows and doors, and place vehicle keys in a safe place away from the front door.

Anyone with information on the crimes should contact police on 0300 333 4444.