POLICE in Gloucestershire have arrested seven people in seven days in connection with break-ins at homes across the county, including in Newent.

The arrests comes as part of the darker nights burglary clampdown, called "Operation Switch".

But despite the Operation Switch successes, Gloucestershire Constabulary is urging local residents to remain vigilant.

A Newent man was arrested last Friday, November 6, and he has been convicted of two house burglaries which took place in Newent overnight, on October 9.

He was also found guilty of possession of class A drugs, when he appeared at Cheltenham Magistrates' Court on Monday (November 8).

Matthew Lee Goodchild, aged 28, of Lightfoot in Newent, pleaded guilty to the offences and was sentenced to a suspended one-year prison sentence.

He was given an electronic tag and was ordered to abide by a curfew, meaning he cannot go out between 8pm and 6am, and he was also ordered to pay costs totalling over £300, and compensation of £50.

A police spokesman said: "Despite the arrests and charges, officers are urging people to remain vigilant as the nights continue to draw in.

"As part of Operation Switch, an initiative co-organised by police and Crimestoppers, local communities are being reminded of the increased risk of burglary after the clocks went back an hour in October."

The spokesman added: "These arrests show the hard work officers are doing right now to clamp down on burglaries across the county but are also a salient reminder that this is a productive time of years for burglars."

The other arrests related to burglaries at Dursley, Cheltenham, Hempsted and Gloucester.