Residents urged to take steps to beat burglars over the holidays

They have outlined a series of simple steps you can take to reduce the chance of being targeted by thieves.

The most important step you can take to prevent burglary is to lock your windows and doors. Even when you are at home, keep your doors and windows closed or keep windows in a locked position if they are open.

Try and avoid setting patterns. If you follow the same routine every week, try to vary it in some way if possible.

This will make it more difficult for thieves to determine when your home is unoccupied.

If you are going away on holiday, try and make your home look occupied. Use timer switches for lights and radios, ask a neighbour to collect post and do not advertise your holiday on social media.

There are also steps you can take to protect your neighbourhood. If you notice anything suspicious or out of place in your own area, report it immediately to police. The number to phone is 101 for non-emergencies and 999 in an emergency.