YOUNGSTERS are burgling homes in the centre of Newport by squeezing through pet flaps and small windows.

Because of the bizarre trend, police officers are now warning residents to secure even tiny bathroom and kitchen windows when they go out, and to consider boarding up flaps in doors used by their pets.

One victim, Colin North, of Gaer Park Avenue, whose wife's jewellery was stolen in a burglary, said: "It quite surprised us.

"The flap is for a boxer dog, so it's about 15 inches square, but it's got a catch on it so I thought it would be secure.

"I've bought a panel to replace it now, and a burglar alarm."

PC Debra White, Newport central's crime and disorder reduction officer, said that this month alone there had been eight burglaries in the Gaer and Stow Park areas.

She added that there had also been 11 thefts from cars and one vehicle stolen, in the same streets as the burglaries. The house break-ins happened in : l Gaer Vale on February 3; l Dickens Drive and Dewsland Park Road on February 5; l Stow Park Drive on February 8; l Faulkner Road on February 10; l Gaer Park Avenue on February 11; l Risca Road on February 13; and l Melbourne Way on February 15.

PC White said: "They seem to be taking a lot of little things. "If there are face-off stereos in cars, they take them. Otherwise, they're just taking things like coppers and sunglasses.

"As far as the burglaries are concerned, we believe they are young teenagers because they are getting in through pet flaps, bathroom windows, kitchen windows and insecure doors.

"Six of them were reported during the day, so if anyone sees kids around during school time they should pass names on to us so we can check if they are playing truant.

"They are taking jewellery, any money lying around, sweets and chocolate; little things they can get rid of."

She suggested that people with pet flaps consider buying a mechanism to prevent the flap opening more than a small degree or even board it up completely.

PC White said she was getting the city wardens and Police Community Support Officers involved in patrolling the area.

"We just want to let everybody know what is happening and ask them to be aware," she said.

l Anyone with information about who is committing these crimes should contact PC White on 01633 245406, or Gaer Community Partnership on 01633 660602.