A mum has issued a concerning warning after being targeted by a cunning kidney bean ploy.
Maria Celino-Straker discovered the kidney beans on her doorstep this week, and was told the troubling meaning behind them by a former police officer.
Discussing the seemingly bizarre yet innocent incident with a relative, who was once part of a police force, Maria unveiled the truth, Birmingham Live reports.
She typed up in a Facebook post: "Well I woke up to this left on our doorstep this morning."
She added: "Apparently this is a known trick of burglars.
"If not cleaned up in a couple of days they know you are not home and in they go.
"Thankfully I'm home and cleaned this up, whoever it was done this about 1am this morning.
"Look out for your neighbours especially those who are on holiday."
"It's not just beans," she said.
"They use anything that you would have to clean up and that is not going to wash away with a bit of rain."
The mum says that since learning about the trick, she has been keeping regular tabs on her elderly neighbours and ensuring all her doors are locked.
She wants to raise awareness so that other residents can look out for their elderly neighbours, or those on holiday.
"I posted about it because I wanted to warn people and get them to look out for each other," Maria said.
"If it helps one person it was worth it."
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