Another 17 homes have been burgled in Hertsmere - despite police increasing patrols.

Officers in Hertsmere warned residents to be vigilant after 20 homes were targeted in the first two weeks of October.

But since that warning, 17 homes have been burgled compared to the 13 which were successfully broken into earlier this month.

Previous story: Police warn of rise in burglaries in Hertsmere

In Borehamwood, three burglaries have taken place in Hillside Avenue, and two in Brook Meadow, while two homes in Elstree have been broken into as well.

Jewellery and gadgets have been the most common items taken.

On October 14, three men were seen running in the direction of Deacons Hill Road after an alarm went off after a house was broken into in Nicholas Road on October 14.

Cars have also been stolen too, in Potters Bar.

A Nissan Qashqai was stolen from the driveway of an address in Ashwood Road between 8pm on October 13 and 5.15am on October 14.

A black Mercedes was stolen from an address in St Louis Close at 2am on October 19.

A BMW was stolen from an address in Sherwood Avenue between 10pm on October 13 and 9.15am on October 14.

Neighbourhood inspector Mark Bilsdon said: "Offenders are breaking into homes to steal keys before they steal cars from driveways. Keep your car keys hidden and away from windows or letterboxes, as sometimes vehicles are stolen after thieves managed to steal keys placed close to letterboxes or insecure windows and doors, enabling them to drive the vehicles away without having to break into them." Other advice Insp Bilsdon has is: "It’s a good idea to keep your high-valuable jewellery at a bank, in a safe or in a non-obvious place. Burglars want to be in and out of an address as quickly as possible and don’t want to get caught. Don’t make it easy for them. Consider investing in an alarm, doorbell camera, timer lights, outside sensor lights, or CCTV. These all act as deterrents for a thief scouring an area to find the quickest way in to an address without being seen.

"We continue to patrol current hotspots, previous hotspots and speak to offenders with a history of burglaries, as part of an in-depth plan to prevent burglaries from happening in the first place."

Extra patrols have been in place this week in Borehamwood and Potters Bar, Hertfordshire Constabulary says.