Police are urging householders to be on their guard as the hot and sunny weather gives thieves extra opportunities to target homes. Many people have been enjoying the weather in their gardens and leaving their doors and windows open to keep their houses cool. However, this gives opportunist thieves more opportunities to strike.

As people start do these things it is easy to forget that by leaving windows and doors open, for no other reason than to let some fresh air into your house, you could be leaving your home at risk to opportunist thieves who could take just a matter of seconds to steal your valuables.
A quick trip to the garden to cut the grass, cleaning your car or enjoying some time in the garden, whilst leaving your home insecure are all ways in which you could find yourself becoming an unexpected victim of crime, when by following a few simple steps you can enjoy the sunshine and nice weather, without putting your home and valuables at risk.

   Families enjoying the weather at Central Park

Humberside Police Inspector Paul Kirby said: "It is important that as we reach the warmer time of the year people do start to think about keeping their home and valuables secure."
"As police, we will continue to play our part by targeting prolific offenders, but we need people to meet us half way here and think about their home security as well."

To help the local community reduce the risk of becoming a victim of crime, Humberside Police offer the following advice:

Ensure that homes are secure at all time and don’t leave potential entry points open accessible.
Whilst out working in the garden, perhaps with a loud lawn mower or power tool, leaving windows or doors wide open is an invitation for an opportunist sneak thief enter your property and steal your valuables. The same applies with sheds and garages. It only takes a second to close a door or a window.

On a warm day, there might be a temptation to leave your vehicle parked on the drive with its windows open to allow fresh air to circulate. But leaving it unattended makes it is easy for someone to take items from it or even to steal it.

In all of these circumstances outlined, there’s the potential to lose valuable property, have your house burgled, or lose your car!

Please remember to help us to help you! These kinds of thefts are committed by opportunists who could be wandering around your neighbourhood looking to take advantage of people who leave their property insecure.