A total of 40 burglaries and attempted burglaries were reported to police across Bexley over the past week, according to officers' reports.

This is a staggering 54 per cent increase compared to the week previous where only 26 were reported in the borough.

Ward officers have warned that most burglaries are happening between 5pm and 9.30pm and not overnight. Residents are being advised to double lock their doors and keep windows shut at all times.

Advice was also given to those with side entrances to store wheelie bins in back gardens as these are often used to help thieves get over fences.

PC Paul Sealy of the Blendon and Penhill ward has encouraged residents to invest in other burglary preventative measures such as CCTV cameras, gravel driveways, sensor lights and video doorbells.

He also said burglars will ring your doorbell to see if you are in and that if anyone knocks on your door with an unclear intention you should call your local police station straight away.

We have pinpointed the roads which were targeted in the last week.

Below is a map and a timeline of reports made to police from across Bexley.

Slade Green and North End Ward did not submit updates this week.

Nov 13 – Baltimore Place, Welling: A distraction burglary took place at around 6.30pm.

Nov 14 – Lyndon Avenue, Sidcup: Suspects reportedly broke in through the back door and stole a logbook for the homeowner's vehicle

Nov 14 – Alers Road, Bexleyheath: A residential burglary took place sometime during the night. The suspect came in through the front door, conducted an untidy search and got away with a handbag.

Nov 14 – Balliol Road, Welling: A burglary took place between 5.30pm and 9.30pm.

Nov 14 – Hook Lane, Welling: The suspects forced open the front door but were disturbed and got away with nothing.

Nov 14 – Leckwith Avenue, Bexleyheath: An attempted burglary took place but the suspects tripped the house alarm and were disturbed.

Nov 15 – Westfield Road, Bexleyheath: Sometime between 12.30am and 6.30am, suspects found their way into the home by prying open the front door and using a wheelie bin to get into the back garden before opening the back door too. They got away with a bag containing an iPad and personal documents. It is believed they were searching for car keys.

Nov 15 – Willersley Avenue, Sidcup: It's believed the burglars got in through the rear doors but no damage was discovered and nothing appears to be missing.

Nov 15 – Queenswood Road, Sidcup: An empty property which is being renovated was raided of tools left behind sometime in the night.

Nov 15 – Bridgen Road, Bexleyheath: Another property undergoing renovation had been broken into through an extension being built. The builders' tools were stolen in the process.

Nov 15 – Brook Lane, Bexleyheath: An untidy search was conducted and three watches were taken from the property.

Nov 15 – Mount Road, Bexleyheath: Burglary took place some time after 10am. Crowbar marks were found on an open patio door.

Nov 15 – Kingsgrove Close, Sidcup: An untidy search was conducted after suspects got in through the back door. It is unknown if anything was taken.

Nov 16 – Collindale Avenue, Sidcup: There was an attempted break-in at a property. The owners were sitting at home watching TV when they heard a knock on the front door. Soon after, they heard someone trying to force their front door open to which they shouted to disturb the burglar. CCTV footage showed four, well built men outside the property armed with a sledgehammer, a large screwdriver and a crowbar. A small car was also spotted on the road outside the house.

Nov 16 – Arbuthnot Lane, Bexleyheath: Access was gained as burglars climbed neighbouring wheelie bins and breaking open the back patio door. They then got away with a large amount of jewellery and cash. The getaway vehicle was found not too far away and is being forensically examined.

Nov 16 – Turnbury Close, Thamesmead: Burglary occurred between 5pm and 9pm as suspects entered through the back door.

Nov 16-17 – Ellenborough Road, Sidcup: A non-residential burglary. A shed window was smashed but nothing was taken.

Nov 16-19 – Hall Place Crescent, Crayford: Burglars got into the property through a back bedroom window where an untidy search was conducted. It is unknown if anything was taken.

Nov 16-20 – Green Walk, Crayford: The victim came home to find her front window open but entry had been made through the back kitchen window. Some jewellery was stolen from the property.

Nov 17 – Ashmore Grove, Welling: A burglary occurred sometime around 5.25pm.

Nov 17 – Mortimer Road, Erith: A glass panel at the back of the property was found smashed. An untidy search was conducted and both jewellery and cash were taken.

Nov 17 – Avenue Road, Erith: An attempted burglary was interrupted when the house alarm was tripped as the suspects tried to force the side door open.

Nov 18 – Heron Hill, Belvedere: A burglary was reported at a property on the street.

Nov 19 – Ripley Road, Belvedere: A burglary was reported at a property on the street.

Nov 19 – Dorothy Evans Close, Bexleyheath: Suspects smashed the back window and gained entry into the property.

Nov 19 – Oaklands Avenue, Sidcup: Suspects stole a small safe containing jewellery after getting in through the back kitchen windows.

Nov 19 – Crayford Way, Dartford: Suspects smashed in the back patio doors before disturbing the homeowners. Some items were disturbed.

Nov 19 – Green Walk, Crayford: The victim came home to find their kitchen window open and rooms had been turned over. However it is uncertain if anything was taken.

Nov 19 – Ditton Road, Bexleyheath: Front door was pried open as tool marks were found on the door frame. Unfortunately a set of house keys and two sets of vehicle keys were taken, as well as two vehicles from the victims garden.

Nov 19 – North Cray Road, North Cray: Burglars attempted to get into a property using a ladder but were interrupted.

Nov 19 – Coronation Close, Bexleyheath: Burglars got in by forcing the side gate before getting in through the back door. Unknown what was taken at this stage.

Nov 19 – Merlin Road, Welling: Burglars entered a house by smashing through the patio doors and took a number of items from within.

Nov 20 – Latham Road, Bexleyheath: A burglary occurred at a house on this street but no other information was given.

Nov 20 – Teignmouth Road, Welling: A burglary was attempted some time after 12.30am.

Nov 20 – Westwood Lane, Welling: Some time between the morning and early evening, the suspects smashed through the back patio doors and stole a number of items from the property.

Nov 21 – St Johns Road, Erith: Burglars entered the house through an open window, conducted an untidy search before taking a number of items.

Burglaries were also reported in Lower Road in Belvedere; Brook Street in Erith; and Eastry Road in Erith however no dates were given for these reports.