POLICE have urged residents to be extra vigilant in their homes and on their properties as the summer months arrive.

A substantial number of recent burglaries in Radcliffe have occurred because of insecurities in people’s homes and cars, police say.

Leaving windows and doors unlocked affords offenders easy access to sneak into residential properties with a lot of burglaries taking place through the afternoon and early evening.

Radcliffe East sergeant Mark Livesey, said that now it was important for residents to be more aware of ways that they can protect their property, especially with the increasingly long hours of daylight.

He said: “Most of the recent spate of burglaries that have been reported to us have been because of insecurities, namely windows and doors unlocked which affords offenders easy access to sneak into residential properties.

“In addition there have been a number of burglaries where rear patio doors and windows are being forced or smashed to gain entry and again, a lot of these happen during the day when residents are at work.”

As a result, police have issued a list of ways for people to protect their homes, preventing offenders sneaking in and stealing whatever small items they can grab.

PC Livesey says: “I appreciate that costing can be an issue but if you do not have any of the following already, people should consider installing a suitable alarm system and/or security lighting covering secluded areas of their property.

“Suitable fencing surrounding any rear gardens should also be considered and also if people have any broken fence panels, they should consider getting them fixed so offenders cannot see onto people’s premises.”

Other ways to protect homes, according to police, are to ask a trusted relative or neighbour to check addresses if away overnight and by leaving areas of gravel around the house, in front of rear doors and windows, to make it noisy if potential thieves are loitering.

He also advised removing items out of rear gardens such as old bricks and garden tools that can be used to break windows.

If anyone has information about committing a crime they should contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or they can ring information to the Radcliffe neighbourhood team via the 101. People can also email burysouth@gmp.police.uk.