POLICE are warning homeowners to protect their homes now spring is here.

With people spending more time outside or away, it can leave houses easy targets for opportunist thieves.

Officers are handing out simple tips to beat burglars.

People should secure garden boundaries with high fences, locked gates and security lighting, as well as entry points to houses, and ensure houses look lived in while you are away.

If you go on holiday, cancel milk and newspaper deliveries, make sure there are no valuables on view and invest in timers to turn on lights when it is dark.

DCI Martyn Triggol said: “The steps you can take to protect your home aren’t expensive or time-consuming.

“They’re easy to implement and effective in reducing the risk of becoming a victim of burglary.

“Look at your home from the street and think about how a burglar may break in - and then take the necessary steps to deny them this opportunity.

“Thieves will use whatever they can find to help them, including ladders, tools left lying around and wheelie bins, which can be easily moved and used to reach higher windows.”

For further advice, speak to a crime prevention officer by calling Avon and Somerset Police on 0845-4567000.

For more tips, click on the Avon and Somerset Police related link.