Police warn of sneaky thieves

RESIDENTS of Warrington have been put on their guard against “sneaky” burglars who get into homes through unlocked windows and doors.
Police say this type of crime increases during lighter nights and are urging people to watch out for opportunist thieves.
Detective Inspector Matt Durcan said: “Naturally as the weather gets warmer people are in and out of the house more often and there is the temptation to leave windows and doors unlocked and open. But they need to be aware that this is also an open invitation to an opportunist thief.
“It only takes a matter of seconds for a thief to get into your house and grab something that is valuable to you – such as a handbag, keys or cash.”
DI Durcan said criminals are adept at getting in and out of houses quickly so if people leave, even for a short time, they should ensure premises are secured. He said all external doors should be secured at all times, even when people are at home.”
People should also secure windows and doors before going to bed.
“It only takes a few minutes to check round at the end of the day but it will give you peace of mind and reduce your chance of becoming a victim of an opportunist thief,” he said.
People should also ensure valuables are kept out of site, not keep large amounts of cash in the home and use a door chain when answering the door.