Often the weeks leading up to Christmas and the New Year give added incentives to burglars as we treat ourselves and our loved ones to the latest electronic gadgets, fancy jewellery and “must-have” toys.

However, here are a few security tips and words of advice:

• Make sure wires from garden lighting are not fed through a partially opened window.
• For outside decorations, install solar powered lights or have an external power socket.
• Dispose of packaging sensibly. Make sure you know the amended dates for refuse collection in your area and break up boxes which contained your new computer or latest phone, so that you are not advertising the contents of your home to a burglar.
• Be careful not to advertise your holiday dates on social media websites and be aware of displaying photos of your new presents to all and sundry.
• If you are away for any length of time over Christmas, make use of light timers that come on during the evening for added security and don’t forget to cancel milk and newspaper deliveries.