A TOWN centre policing team has urged residents to take extra care with home security as temperatures continue to warm up.
PCSO Neil Makinson, from the Barnsley Central Neighbourhood Team, has warned residents to lock up properly whilst enjoying the sunshine.
The police officer has said that homes with no security are five times more likely to be burgled than those with simple security measures.
He said: “As the sun starts to shine, we tend to open more windows and leave our doors ajar to let some fresh air through the house.
“Please can we encourage you to be mindful of your home security.
“Good window locks and string deadlocks can make a difference.
“Lock your doors and windows every time you leave your house, even when you’re just out in the garden, remembering to double lock UPVC doors.
“Consider installing a visual burglar alarm and good outside lighting.
“Leave radios or lights in your house on a timer to make the property appear occupied.
“Make sure your fences around your garden are in good condition and keep ladders and tools stored away don’t leave them outside.
“Improve natural surveillance at the front of your property, for example trim any hedges and mark your property with postcode and house number and log it on the Immobilise website.
“Store any high value items like jewellery, passports in a properly secured safe or bank vault.”
