It seems obvious, but there are lots of areas of your home where good old fashioned locks can increase security. Using a strong mortice is more effective than using latches, as these can be easily prised open. Also, make sure to use a minimum two-inch cross threaded screw to better secure your lock to the door and frame.

Lock all windows and skylights, especially when you're out of the house. Letter box covers are a great, cost effective way of stopping someone from putting their hand through and reaching up to your lock to let themselves in. And it's easier said than done, but never leave your keys in the lock!

Consider installing lighting timers that automatically turn the lights on and off at specific times, making sure to periodically change the times. These are a great defence mechanism, especially when you place them in different parts of the house as they create the impression that someone is at home when they’re not. This can help deter thieves looking for an empty house to rob.

Close any curtains or blinds, and make sure you don't leave any expensive or important property (such as jewellery, electronics and ID documents) on show on ground floor rooms as this invites opportunists. Also, if you have ordered something of high value, don't leave the rubbish and empty boxes from your new purchases out in the open for everyone to see.

Don’t leave keys under the mat, or on a side table inside the front door or in front of a window where they can be accessed with a long pole. Similarly, the rise in social media means that fake rocks and the like are far easier to spot than you think they are to a burglar that makes robbing their day job!

If you do have to leave keys outside, it is strongly advised to get a secure, high-quality lock box and install it out of direct sight. Ensure it has a side lock, as a top-mounted lock can be too easily broken in to.

Burglars love ladders, garden equipment, bikes and especially tools. The loss of these items can not only be devastating, but also crippling if you need them for your day job.

Always remember to lock up sheds and garages, and make sure to store the valuables in your home when you go away to make sure they're there when you come back.

Not only is it a polite and fulfilling thing to do, but it can also be very helpful to make friends with your neighbours and exchange numbers. This way, you can call each other if one of you is away and the other sees or hears something suspicious.

If you order an expensive packaged item like a TV, don’t leave the box outside. Make sure to set up a safe place with the delivery company and if it does get left by the front door and you won't be home for a while, see if a trusted neighbour or a family member wouldn't mind popping by to take it in for you. Ideally, try not to order large parcels if there is a danger the goods will be left outside.

Burglars are very alert and opportunistic. If you still get a doorstep milk delivery, or you subscribe to a food delivery, make sure to cancel it when you are away as if it gets left on the doorstep for an extended period, this will give away that you aren't at home.

Social media is more important to a lot of us now than ever, and lots of people like updating it several times a day. However, do not announce you’re going away on holiday through social media, or verbally, to anyone you don’t know or trust. This will give those with bad intentions a clear window when the house will be unoccupied. Wait until you're back to share those beach pics, or you may come home to a nasty shock!

Finding out more about the crime rate in your area can really help prepare you for what could happen. We  have a limited amount of information available on our Facts and Figures page. You can always get advice from your local policing Safer Neighbourhood team, and join local Facebook groups to get regular up to date information on what’s going on in your neighbourhood.

Your local police's website should also have a section where you can receive free crime prevention advice, which if in doubt is always worth a look.

Unfortunately, half of all break-ins take place when people are at home, and a large majority take place during the day. Make sure to keep your doors locked during the day, even in what feels like a safe neighbourhood, and don’t open your door for people you don’t know. It is important to teach young people to do the same.

Don't be afraid to ask workers for ID to prove they are who they say they are. Investigate any noises you hear around your property, which is safer to do with the aid of a CCTV system if this is a possibility.