Turn up the heat on burglars 

As summer approaches and temperatures rise, so do the opportunities for quick-thinking thieves. Sneak-in burglaries are a particular problem during the summer months when people are busy enjoying the nice weather.

In many instances the thief does not have to break in because a door or window has been left open. Most of these are committed during the day and in many cases the householder is at home or in the garden when the burglar sneaks in and the crime is completed in a few seconds.

South Yorkshire Police have issued the following useful hints and tips to help you beat the sneak:

• Lock windows and doors at all times, even if you’re just in the garden or elsewhere in the house
• Never leave items unattended outside your home, especially valuable ones, even if you are just popping into the house.
• Don’t leave valuables such as laptops, Ipods and mobiles on full display in windows.
• Store keys away from the doors to prevent letterbox burglaries and quick access to your motor vehicle.
• Put locks on all your windows, including small ones and skylights
• Pedal cycles in garages and sheds should be post-coded and chained to the superstructure of the building
• Keep shrubs, hedges and large plants cut back as they can provide a screen for thieves to work behind. Growing prickly shrubs next to your wall or fence would deter most criminals from climbing over.
• Postcode all property in your home as well as your garden equipment, and garden furniture by engraving, stamping, painting or using a UV pen or the invisible liquid SmartWater that contains a forensic signature.
• Don’t leave empty packaging of new items out for burglars to see.
• Tools and ladders should always be locked away or secured when not in use as they can be stolen or used to gain entry to your house or car
• When on holiday, try to get a friend or neighbour to look after the property by drawing curtains, removing post from the letter box and putting lights on and off. Remember to cancel milk and papers. Alternatively fit timers to activate your lights, TV or radio.
• Fit an alarm and make sure that you use it.

Sheffield is one of the safest cities in the country and together we are working hard to make it even safer for all our communities.

To find out who your local Safer Neighbourhood Team officer is, how to contact them, and to find out what’s happening in your area enter your postcode at http://neighbourhood.southyorks.police.uk

South Yorkshire Police general number 0114 2202020.