Householders are being warned to operate strict security after strangers have gone in - or tried to gain access - to homes.

On Friday, a woman found a man coming out of a bedroom in her home in Kirkby Lonsdale.

He ran off and it was later discovered that a handbag containing bank cards and about £150 cash had been taken.

Bogus caller

In another incident, a 76-year-old woman found a man in the living room of her Kendal home.

He claimed he was a window cleaner before leaving. Nothing had been taken.

In Bowness on Saturday evening a man called at the home of an elderly woman claiming he wanted to read her water meter. When she refused to let him in he left.

That same evening a man called at the home of a 87-year-old woman in the town claiming he was from a water company.

He was let into a garage before leaving. Nothing was reported stolen.