Burglaries have gone up by 2.5 per cent in the past 12 months. Crime prevention officer, PC Dave King, tells the H&H:
"The simple closing of windows sounds so basic and it is easy but people unfortunately think burglary is not going to happen to them. In 36 per cent of burglaries the windows have not been closed.
"There are other things like putting window boxes out which makes it harder for the burglar to open the window."
Window boxes have the added advantage of making the community look well-loved.
Police are appealing to residents to work with them to cut down the number of burglaries. They're offering free crime prevention advice. Phone 020 8733 6809.
