At this time of year burglars are on the look out for easy pickings and ready wrapped presents under your Christmas tree may prove too good an opportunity to miss. Members of the public will be able to get advice on how they can avoid becoming a victim.

Pre-Christmas advice includes:

*Do not leave gifts unattended in your car when shopping.

*Do not hide your Christmas presents in your car, garden shed or in the garage where a burglar can easily break in and steal them.

*Don't let someone else enjoy Christmas at your expense, please keep Christmas presents out of view of opportunist burglars until Christmas morning - it is not just the children you need to hide the presents from.

*Your Christmas tree looks lovely in the window with it’s twinkling lights. But leaving the curtains open enables burglars to look inside your house to see what there is to steal. Keep the curtains closed at nighttime.

*If you go out remember to leave some lights on to give the impression that someone is at home. Invest in a timer switch so that lights come on and off at different times to deter thieves and save energy.

*Leave a radio, tuned to a talk station, playing when you go out. A burglar is less likely to break in if they can hear voices inside.

Consider including an ultra violent pen, or a Smartwater marking set as a Christmas present. Then as soon as the excitement of Christmas morning has worn off, you have the equipment ready to hand to start marking your property. (Contact your Neighbourhood Watch organisation to find out how you can get a Smartwater marking kit), or contact us for advice on marking your property.