Altrincham police posed as burglars as they patrolled Hale Barns looking for unlocked doors and windows last week.

More than 1,000 properties were visited by officers from the Altrincham Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) on 1st July to warn against the dangers of insecurity-related burglaries, which tend to increase in the summer.

Officers checked homes for insecurities, gave crime reduction advice and offered free home security assessment.

There were 30 per cent fewer burglaries in Altrincham between January and June this year compared to the same period in 2009, but almost a third of these took place because of insecurities.

Inspector Simon Wright, from the Altrincham NPT, appealed to residents to join Neighbourhood Watch and make sure they are not an easy target for thieves.

He suggested keeping doors and windows, using a light timer and putting an alarm on if going out.

Another tip is to keep any valuables hidden and away from view.

(Courtesy of The Messenger.)