Residents in Brighton and Hove have been warned to improve their security after an increase in burglaries.

Areas of Hove, and Hangleton in particular, have seen a dramatic rise in the number of break-ins in the past few weeks.

Dubbed "twilight burglaries", they almost always happen as night falls and dark houses make it obvious which homes are unoccupied.

Crime prevention officers are urging people to review their security arrangements to help them to beat the burglars.

Inspector Mark Powles, based at Hove police station, said: "There has been a sudden increase and Hangleton has become a red zone as far as burglaries are concerned."

Officers got their first clues about who might be behind the break-ins on Saturday.

A resident disturbed a youth who had broken into his home in Stapley Road, at about 6pm.

He described the teenager as aged 16 to 18, slightly built, with medium length dark hair and wearing black or navy clothing.

The intruder ran off along Old Shoreham Road in the direction of the Hangleton Link Road.

Crime prevention co-ordinator Julia Wyborn-Dore said police would be targeting the area.

She said Operation Twilight had reduced crime in the area last year.

Officers in plain clothes stopped anyone acting suspiciously or who was suspected of committing a crime.

Miss Wyborn-Dore said: "Residents can improve security by using timers to switch lights on if they are out when dusk falls.

"Simple precautions like leaving a radio on, tuned into a talk-station, can also be an effective deterrent."

For further details, call Miss Wyborn-Dore on 01273 665711.