Reminder to lock out thieves during the hot weather

Police are reminding people not to leave their home open to thieves this summer as the country basks in hot weather.

With the onset of the school summer holidays and the hot weather it can be easy to forget to take a few home security measures, yet open windows and doors are often an open invitation for thieves.

Simple steps such as closing a window when you go out and locking doors can make all the difference and help prevent a house being targeted.

Holiday makers are also advised to take time to consider home security before they go away to give them peace of mind while they're on holiday.

The advice forms part of We Don't Buy Crime, West Mercia Police's response to tackling serious acquisitive crime which includes crimes such as burglary and theft.

Sergeant Ram Aston, from the We Don't Buy Crime team, said: "We Don't Buy Crime continues to go from strength to strength with more and more areas signing up as part of our towns and villages initiative which sees whole communities protected by forensic property marking technology which acts as a great deterrent to criminals. So far this year we've seen some considerable reductions in house burglaries but this doesn't mean we're complacent and we want to make sure everything is being done to help prevent someone from becoming a victim to thieves.

"Crime prevention is absolutely crucial and anything residents can do to help protect their home can help make a difference. It can be easy in the summer months, especially when the weather is warm, to forget you've opened a window  or left the back door open before you go out or go to bed. It only takes a few moment to double check but could help prevent your home being targeted. If you're in the back garden, make sure you haven't left any ground floor windows open at the front of the house and always make sure valuable items, such as car keys, mobile phones or wallets, are not in easy reach of an open window.

"If you're going away make sure the house is locked up before you go and the burglar alarm is set. Hide any valuable items from view from the outside and don't leave anything in the garden that could potentially be used to gain entry into your home. Be mindful of where you store your wheelie bin too and consider if it could be used for someone to climb on and access an upstairs window or used to climb over into the garden.  If you're leaving the car at home and have a garage, park it in the garage while you're away rather than on the drive and if you've got gates close and lock them with a good quality lock."

In addition to We Don't Buy Crime towns and villages police carry out a range of covert tactics to catch thieves and work with second hand stores to make it more difficult for thieves to sell on stolen goods.

Sgt Aston added: "We Don't Buy Crime essentially aims to put criminals out of business and we have a range of tactics at our disposal which are both overt and covert to not just prevent acquisitive crime in the first place but catch those who are responsible when they do happen and want to send a clear message to thieves that we are utilising a range of methods to target them."