Police advice after series of burglaries

Police have urged residents to remain vigilant following a series of burglaries and attempted burglaries over the past month,  during which Asian gold and high-value jewellery has been targeted.

Herts Police have issued a series of tips which will help to beat the burglars.

Residents are being reminded to:

· Make sure you double-lock any UPVC doors;

· Check all doors are locked and all windows,  including those upstairs, are secure before you go out or go to bed;

· Make your home looks lived in by using timer switches;

· Consider installing alarms and ‘dusk to dawn’ security lighting;

· Secure your rear  garden - lock your shed, shut and lock any gates and keep fences maintained. Don’t leave ladders and tools outside - they could be used by a burglar;

· Consider installing a CCTV camera outside your property ;

· Check with your  insurance companies that all your jewellery/valuables are covered;

· At home, or if wearing valuable items out in public, try to keep them out of sight if possible;

· Make sure safes are of a good quality, comply with  official insurance rating standards, and are secured to a wall or floor;

· Post code mark your  valuables with a UV pen and register them on a free  property database like www.immobilise.com

Anyone with information about similar crimes, or who has been offered Asian or high-value gold, should call the Herts Police non- emergency number 101.