The sneak-in type thefts have been in the area from Hildrop to Castle Street and police have warned people to ensure their doors are locked.

In Marsden Crescent, thieves entered ahouse via the front door between 9-20 and 9-45 p.m.on Sunday; in Hendon Road, thieves struck between 7-50 p.m. and 8-10 p.m. on Monday but were disturbed.

Also on Monday, between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m., thieves entered a house in Hildrop Road and stole a short cream jacket and black leather waistcoat from a clothes hook. They also got away with a silver Nokia mobile phone, three €50 notes and a Yorkshire Bank card.

In Castle Street, raiders struck between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m on Tuesday via a conservatory and stole a Sony laptop worth £100. Between 10 p.m. on Sunday and 5 a.m. on Monday, criminals entered an conservatory in Hallam Road and took a £9.99 juicer in a box.

And in Tavistock Street between 11 p.m. on Sunday and 6-30 a.m. on Monday, burglars entered through a front door and removed items from the kitchen and living room. They included a set of house keys, a brown leather wallet, a black leather wallet, an Apple Mac Book laptop, an Apple Mac I-phone, a faun jacket, NatWest Visa, Mastercard and Debit cards, an Asda Mastercard, a driving licence, a nursing ID card and £10 in cash. The total value was in excess of £800.

Sgt Matt Henderson, of Nelson police, said: "We would advise people to make sure they keep their doors and windows secured."

• Two men have appeared before magistrates charged in connection with one of the burglaries. Mark Healy (28), of Pine Street, Nelson, and Steven Halstead (24), of Bath Street, Nelson, were bailed until September 10th when they will appear before Pennine magistrates.

• And a 26-year-old local man and 23-year-old local woman have been arrested on suspicion of burglary but released on bail pending further police inquiries.