Police are urging people to take precautions to prevent burglars from targeting their homes using a simple but effective technique.
Homeowners on Wirral have been left devastated after falling victim to a spate of “hook and cane” burglaries.
The tactic sees criminals use objects to reach through windows and letterboxes and retrieve house and car keys.
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Crime - and crime prevention - has become increasingly sophisticated over recent years.
While some thieves have acquired technology that allows them to steal keyless cars from their owner’s driveways, the sharp rise in home alarm systems and doorbell cameras has helped potential victims improve security.
But simple tactics and tools are still being used by burglars with success.
Merseyside Police’s Wirral neighbourhood team recently warned: “We've recently seen an increase in hook and cane burglaries.
“This is where offenders insert an implement through windows or letterboxes to retrieve keys and other goods from inside the property.
“Do not leave keys on view and near to the front door or windows.”
In the run up to Christmas, the ECHO spoke with criminologist Lee Curran about how to deter burglars.
The advice remains as poignant now as it did before Christmas.
Why the 'big light' may not be the best way of deterring burglars
Mr Curran, a lecturer in criminology and criminal justice, said that while many people fear night-time burglaries, offenders often carry out their strikes in the day.
The Deputy Head of School at University Centre St Helens explained: "As darkness falls earlier in the day, your home is left in darkness, looking unoccupied and inviting for burglars.
"Leaving your home all day without thinking about how it looks in the dark could be putting your property at risk.
"If you leave your lights off in the daytime but during darkness, there are no cars on the driveway and the curtains are still drawn, it’ll stand out a mile and an opportunist burglar will take his chance.
"Make your home look lived in when you’re not there. Leave a light on or use a timer switch - subtle lighting may be better than a main light.
"Leaving on the ‘big light’ may illuminate the house, and if your curtains and blinds are still open, it may be clearer to see that there’s no activity at home.
"You need to increase signs of occupancy - lighting and noise. However, do make sure that you are leaving your light on in a room that you live in. If you would not usually leave a hallway or landing light on when you are home, then don’t leave it on when you’re out."
How to make your home look as unappealing as possible to would-be burglars
Mr Curran said burglars will consider a number of factors when deciding which house to target.
They include the likelihood of being caught, the potential rewards, and how easy the property would be to escape from.
With that in mind, he said: "Physical security measures such as an outside alarm, CCTV and security lighting can make a difference to a burglar’s choice of target.
"Smart video doorbells are becoming increasingly popular, and a motion alert on your phone, from this, or CCTV, gives you the opportunity to alert someone.
"Burglars want to be in and out as quickly as possible, they will look for homes where it looks like nobody is in.
"A burglar entering a home and confronting the occupier is a much more serious offence and they don’t want confrontation. They don’t want to be seen, they don’t want to hang around and risk apprehension.
"Think about upgrading windows and doors.
"Adding a new lock to a flimsy door is unlikely to deter but deadlocks on doors and windows substantially increase the effort and reduce the risk."
Neighbourhood teamwork crucial before and after burglaries
Mr Curran also said it was crucial that neighbours of burglary victims do not assume they will not be targeted.
He said: "The offender will have gained knowledge of the effort needed, the risks and rewards. Burglars often return to the area within a short time period, so homes near to previously burgled homes are also at risk shortly afterwards."
He added that neighbours sharing information was crucial to helping prevent burglaries, urging: "Keep in touch with neighbours and share any suspicious activity, or work with neighbours to set up a Neighbourhood Watch scheme.
"Neighbourhood Watch really has come into the 21st century."
Further crime prevention advice can be found on Merseyside Police's website here .
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