BURGLARY remains rare across the Wyre Forest area with less than one per cent of homes burgled each year.

However, as the nights draw in it is much easier for would-be thieves to identify which properties are unoccupied, leaving them vulnerable.

Most burglaries are carried out by opportunistic thieves who are looking for the easiest way of getting into a house without being seen or disturbed.

If they think someone is at home and the property is well secured you are much less likely to be burgled.

The good news is that there are lots of things you can do to make your home less of a target for burglars and to improve security.

Using timer switches or leaving a light on will give the impression that someone is at home and deter would-be thieves.

External doors should be kept locked and keys put in a safe place out of sight where they cannot be reached through a letter box or cat flap.

Windows should be kept closed in any unoccupied rooms and people should get into the habit of double-checking windows and doors before they go to bed at night.

This may sound obvious but it’s surprising how many homes are left insecure and many thieves will go around trying front doors to see if they have been left open.

An opportunist thief can be in and out of an unlocked door with your property in no time and you would be none the wiser until you came home or woke up the next day to find things missing.

Burglary figures in Wyre Forest remain low but we’d urge everyone to play their part in keeping them that way by following this simple advice and keeping their own homes and property safe and secure.

Over the coming weeks Local Policing Teams will be giving out leaflets and information on West Mercia’s ‘Lighten Up’ campaign which launches on October 18.

Look out for them across the district to find out more on keeping your home secure and beating the burglar!

INSPECTOR PAUL CROWLEY, KIDDERMINSTER POLICE