Warning over hot weather burglary danger (From Redhill And Reigate Life)

Warning over hot weather burglary danger

3:16pm Wednesday 1st July 2009

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Police are reminding homeowners to be especially on their guard against burglars during the hot weather.

Officers are calling on people to make sure their homes are secure at all times after a spate of incidents in which residents have come face to face with intruders in their houses in the Reigate area.

Police say the hot weather tempts people into leaving doors and windows open, which tempts opportunistic burglars to sneak into properties.

Det Con Stuart Underwood of the Reigate Proactive Investigation Team said: “Over the last few days we have seen several incidents of homeowners coming face-to-face with burglars inside their properties.”

He said: “They have left windows and doors to their properties insecure and these burglars have made the most of the opportunity to steal wallets, money and personal items.

“These burglaries could easily have been prevented.”

He said: “It is possible to let ventilation in and keep a burglar out so please do not make life easy for opportunistic thieves by leaving entry points to your properties open or unlocked.

“Officers from the Safer Neighbourhood Teams work hard to encourage householders to improve security and our message to residents is simple, ' Please lock all doors and close easily accessible windows’.

“Even if you are only leaving the residence for a short time, make sure you lock up and don’t give burglars easy access.”

A police spokesman said two men were arrested yesterday for a burglary in which a wallet and keys were stolen from an insecure property.

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