SECURITY advice has been given to homeowners after a spate of break-ins in Haddington.

Four break-ins or attempted break-ins in the space of less than 10 days in the town were highlighted in a police report at the town’s community council meeting last Tuesday evening.

Police officers were unable to attend the meeting, which took place in Haddington Town House, but a prepared report was emailed to members instead.

The four incidents took place over the festive period and enquiries are ongoing.

On December 19, a house on the town’s Gateside Avenue was targeted by three men, who left the area in a vehicle. According to the police report: “It would appear that they only got away with £16 in loose change.”

The second incident took place between December 20 and 22 and saw a house on the town’s Brown Street broken into, although nothing was taken.

Meanwhile, “a number of items” were stolen during a break-in at a house on Bridge Street on December 27, while there was a report of an attempted break-in at a house on Ford Road the following day.

Anyone with information about the incidents should call 101.

Haddington-based Community Support Sergeant Scott Nicolson stressed that, despite there being “very few” housebreakings reported recently, members of the public should “never become complacent”.

Advice included to use timer switches on lights and radios to make it look as if a house was occupied and to ensure all doors and windows were secure when the house was empty and when the homeowner was in bed. The use of security lighting at the front and back of property was also highlighted, while garden tools and ladders should be locked away when not in use.

Homeowners were also urged to use a good-quality lock on any shed or outbuildings and to make a note of all makes, models and serial numbers of property.