A burglary spree should serve as a warning to homeowners about securing every entrance to their property.

That's because the multiple victims of burglary in Elk River on Thursday night had their homes broken into the same way – through an unlocked garage service door.

The Elk River Police Department said it received several burglary reports in the 19000 block of Baldwin Street in the early hours of Friday morning.

It's believed that the burglars struck at a series of homes in the space of just an hour between 2:30–3:30 a.m.

Police say they'll be stepping up their overnight patrols as a result of the burglaries and are advising residents to secure their garage service doors, overhead doors and any doors leading from their garage into their homes.

How to secure your garage service door

Garage service doors are a vulnerable entry point to your home compared to other, more commonly used and better protected doors.

The Family Handyman has a series of tips on how to beef up protection in the garage – including by wrapping your service door with a metal lock reinforcer.

It also advises installing security lights to deter thieves, and consider covering up windows so they can't see valuables kept inside.

Angies List also reminds owners not to leave garage door openers in cars parked outside – and also don't leave car keys inside vehicles parked in your garage.