Hampshire and Isle of Wight police are urging residents to secure their homes as the clocks go back and the dark nights draw in.  Turning the clocks back by one hour on Sunday means that many homes will be in darkness before residents get home from school, college or work.

Police and police community support officers will be looking out for houses left in darkness which may be targets for burglars.  

The officers will post crime reduction leaflets through letterboxes, outlining some simple steps that can be taken to make their home safer.

By following the advice on the lights on leaflet, residents can make their home less attractive to burglars and avoid the distress and disturbance that burglary can cause:

*Leaving a couple of lights on in your home will help to make it look occupied.
*Invest in some timer switches. These will turn lamps and radios on and off for you.
*Gadgets are available which fit into bayonet light fittings which will turn your main lights on and off.
*Help keep your energy bills down by using energy saving light bulbs.
*Thieves are more likely to target homes which appear unoccupied.
*Secure your home by locking all windows and doors before you go out.

Only tell the people who you trust if your home will be empty for a period of time.  Now you have made your home more secure, share this information with your friends and family.

Crime prevention officer Sarah Steege said: 

“It sounds simple advice but using timer switches on lights and radios will deter opportunist burglars looking for empty homes.

“A timer switch and energy saving light bulb can be bought for under £5 and can make your vacant home less attractive to burglars.

“Hampshire Constabulary will be doing everything it can to keep burglary rates low across the two counties but we’d urge householders to help themselves by securing their homes.”

Further crime prevention advice is available on the Hampshire Constabulary website Click  HERE: or from your local crime prevention officer on 0845 0454545.

You can download the ‘lights on leaflet 2007′ Click HERE:

The clocks go back one hour on Sunday October 28 at 1am Greenwich Mean Time.

Reported Under Public Information @Island Pulse.