North Wales Police's top tips on how to keep your house safe this summer RefPioneer
HOMEOWNERS are being warned to make sure their property is secure as daylight hours get longer and people spend more time out and about.
North Wales Police have said opportunist thieves will target homes where windows are left open or where doors and garden gates are left unlocked.
DS Elfyn Hughes said; “We often see a rise in burglary as the days get longer and the weather improves, so we’d urge residents be mindful of this tendency and to take responsibility for securing their homes and possessions.
“Taking just a few steps can make a big difference in keeping your home safe from burglary.
“Lock your doors and windows every time you leave the house, even when you're just out in the garden.
“Hide all keys, including car keys, out of sight and away from the letterbox, Never leave keys in hiding places such as under flower-pots or on top of door-frames. Burglars know where to look.
“If you're not sure who is at your door, don't open it and check the identity of the caller by calling the company they are claiming to be from, for example, a gas, electricity or water company or the council or police.
“If you’re going away on holiday avoid discussing holiday plans on public social networking sites - burglars can use any information you post on there to their advantage.”
Advice from police includes, where possible fit an alarm and security lighting, to make sure the fences around your garden are in good condition, to keep ladders and tools stored away, to ensure side gates are locked and to remove valuables from view of ground floor windows.
Anyone with information about burglaries should contact North Wales Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.