Butterflies flutter, bees buzz, the sun shines brightly and the scent of barbecues fill the air... it must be summer!

Relaxing in the garden is a quintessential English summer pastime, but make sure in doing so, you don't open your doors to thieves.

Garden

• Remember to lock your doors and shut your windows if spending time outside, to deter 'walk-in' thieves 
• Keep your garage and garden shed locked with proper security locks, and keep any tools secure, out of sight and property marked
• Trim back any plants or hedges that a burglar could hide behind
• Consider using weights at the bottom of those garden ornaments in view, to deter opportunist thieves.

Home

• Keep your front and back doors locked or in view when you are at home
• Shut windows to rooms that are not being occupied - do not be tempted to open all windows in warm weather
• Consider fitting a door chain and spy hole - a chain allows you to speak to the caller without opening the door fully and the spy hole allows you to see who is at the door
• Fit five lever mortice deadlocks to all external doors
• Fit multi-locking systems to patio doors or install mortice security bolts with removable keys at the top and bottom of both doors
• Consider fitting a letterbox cage or restricter which prevents burglars from putting their hands or gadgets through the letter box and trying the latches from the inside
• Never leave a spare key in a convenient hiding place such as under the doormat - burglars know all the usual hiding places
• Never leave your house or car keys in or near a door or window
• Consider fitting a burglar alarm, but make sure it is installed by a company who is registered with SSAIB or NSI and is fitted to BS EN50131
• Make sure you have up-to-date home and contents insurance.