Sussex residents warned - be wary of sneaky burglars this summer

However, police are warning about the rise of ‘sneak-in burglaries’ – a type of break-in that occurs when you leave a window or door unlocked.

According to Halifax Home Insurance, opportunistic thieves ramp up their activity during summer, resulting in a ten per cent increase in domestic burglaries and a 40 per cent increase in outdoor thefts.

The majority of offenders look for the path of least resistance when attempting to gain entry to a property, and finding a door or window unlocked presents them with an attractive opportunity.

Even if you’re just nipping round to the neighbours for five minutes, hanging out the washing, or doing a spot of gardening, the advice is that you should get into the habit of locking all doors and windows before you leave your home.

As well as this, there are a number of other things you can do to protect your belongings over the warmer months, and here the security experts at Yale have compiled some of the most important.

1. According to The Home Office, 56 per cent of burglaries take place during the evening, so be wary of leaving windows open on a warm night when you go to bed.

2. Don’t leave valuable items in reach of an open window or cat flap if you have one – ie keys, wallets/purses, bags, mobile phones or iPads.

3. Install a home alarm, so that if the worst happens and there is a break in, you can be alerted quickly and your neighbours can contact the police if necessary. They also act as a good visual deterrent.

4. After a day in the garden, remember to put tools and toys in a locked shed or garage overnight as expensive outdoor equipment can be a very tempting proposition for opportunistic thieves.

5. Caravans and motorhomes are also at risk during the summer months.

6. Always lock your doors and windows, even when you’re at home or in the garden – it only takes a minute for a burglar to sneak in.

7. For maximum protection, secure external timber doors using a mortice lock and/or nightlatch that meets British Standard BS3621.

8. If you have a PVCu or composite door it is a good idea to upgrade the euro profile cylinder in the multipoint lock to a British Standard TS007 3 star Kitemark cylinder.

9. ‘Checking in’ at holiday locations on social media or posting holiday photos can be risky, offering an open invitation to criminals, so take the time to check your settings.

10. Also beware of accepting new friends or connections online if you aren’t associated with them personally. Burglars can pose as ‘friends’ to find out more about you and your home.

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