POLICE have said they are frustrated their warnings over burglaries have fallen on deaf ears, as one victim who left her front door open spoke out.

Gemma House, 21, moved into her home in Affleck Close, Toothill, six months ago and had heard about the recent problems the area had been having with burglars.

But at 6.30am on Friday, she awoke to the sound of her dog barking and went downstairs to discover the front door open and her handbag missing.

It comes just days after police issued a warning in the Adver over insecurity burglaries – where homeowners leave their property unlocked – and now Acting Detective Chief Inspector Mark Garrett has said he has become frustrated that potential victims are not listening to police warnings.

Gemma, a nursery nurse, said: “The dog started barking and I heard someone moving around downstairs so I got up to have a look.

“I found the porch door open and the front door unlocked before I realised my handbag was gone. Fortunately the police found my stuff in the bushes around the area.

“I was pretty certain I had locked the front door to be honest because I’ve got my little routine – I let the dog out and lock the front and back doors.

“I had heard about the problem with burglaries before I moved in but I’ve been here six months and had no problem.

“I felt horrible – I feel awful now and don’t like being in the house on my own.”

Acting DCI Garret said: “It was yet again people leaving their homes insecure just two days after we put the crime prevention message in the Adver.

“This reinforces the frustration police are suffering with householders not locking the front door.”

Just days before Gemma was burgled, police had warned that three unsecured homes had been targeted in the Shaw and Grange Park areas of West Swindon.

Two local men, aged 22 and 23, were arrested in connection with Friday’s incident and have been bailed pending further enquiries.

For crime prevention advice visit www.wiltshire.police.uk