Homeowners are being warned to be on their guard after two high-value gold burglaries in Redhill and Leatherhead.

Thieves raided a home in Woodhatch Road, Redhill, during a 20-minute spell while the occupiers were out on the morning of Monday, April 7.

A second home in Sandes Place, Leatherhead, was burgled during the evening of the same day – again while the homeowners were out.

Surrey Police said the thieves escaped with a haul of gold with a high value.

The Redhill burglary took place between 10am and 10.20am, and the Leatherhead burglary between 7.15pm and 10.20pm.

Investigating officer Detective Inspector Richard Hamlin, said: “It is important for the public to be aware that while some burglaries may take place on the off-chance, many, we know from experience, are pre-planned.”

Det Insp Hamlin said: “We want communities to stay alert to anything suspicious and help us reduce targeted burglaries. “There are a number of ways in which criminals go about these crimes - they may make bogus phone calls to see if a homeowner is in, cold-call your doorstep to check over your security, or monitor activity at a property from afar, from their car for instance.”

He continued: “It is also important not to disclose details of any planned trips like holidays, or events which will keep you away from your home for a period of time, to anyone that doesn’t need to know.

“Likewise, steer clear of putting those details on social networking sites like Twitter or Facebook, where it can fall into the wrong hands.”

Anyone with information about the burglaries is being urged to call Surrey Police on 101, quoting the reference number 45140027414 for the Redhill burglary, and 45140027566 for the Leatherhead burglary.

More home security advice is available from the Surrey Police website at: www.surrey.police.uk