Best wishes for Christmas and the New Year, to you relatives and friends you plan to share the season with.

Please remain mindful that there are criminals out there continuing to seek easy targets for thefts and frauds.

The days are short and by early evening it can be easy for a criminal to identify unoccupied homes, simply because they are left in total darkness.

Leaving bags of Christmas shopping visible in unattended cars, or wrapped Christmas presents under your Christmas tree visible through a home window are triggers for the opportune thief.

A front door lamp will not only make your home welcoming for guests but enables you and your neighbours to see unexpected or suspicious callers.

Locking or securing side garden gates will deter opportunists from sneaking into rear gardens where sheds may be targeted and from where most burglars break into a property from.

Lock all doors and secure windows, and don’t leave keys in locks when you go out. It surprising how many burglars have been able to gain access into a home through an insecure door or window.

For just a few pounds you can acquire timer switches that will turn on & off a lamp or other electrical at times you can set, to create the impression you are at home even when you’re out. 

Cardboard boxes or parcels on your doorstep, attract thieves and potentially advertise what expensive goods you’ve purchased. If you know you’re awaiting parcel deliveries whilst you will be out, arrange with a trusted neighbour to keep an eye out for them and to take them in. Then dispose of packaging carefully. 

Be mindful that the opportunist theft of items out of vehicles and the keyless theft of cars is still an issue. So if you are going to be leaving your car parked up for the festive period, do not leave items especially valuables in it. Ensure you leave it locked and secure (preferably in a well lit area) and set its alarm, and apply a crook lock or other physical theft deterrent if you have one.  

Be careful of what you share on social media, advertising a house party can attract unwanted guests, and sharing detail of a holiday trip lets people know how long your home will be unoccupied for.

Further advice on keeping your home and possession safe can be found on the Thames Valley website.