'Leave lights on' to prevent burglary

16/12/2008

Residents in Barnet have been advised that keeping lights on while a property is unoccupied can dramatically reduce the likelihood of being burgled.

According to detective chief inspector Julie Bidewell, doing so will act as a deterrent to burglars who are on the hunt for empty houses.

"If you leave it in darkness, it’s an invitation for burglars. Light up your home, make sure you’ve got good locks on all the doors and windows and don’t leave things on display," she advised, speaking to the Times Series.

She added that side gates with strong locks can also deter criminals, while for those who live in an area with back alley access, it is worth considering applying to the local council to have security gates installed.

In recent weeks, the Sentinel reported that residents in Normacot, Staffordshire are set to receive a new set of alley gates after complaints about fly-tipping were made to the council.