With the warm summer months on their way Croydon police has produced a list of tips to make sure burglars do not target your home.

1. Don't leave your keys or ID documents within easy reach of doors, letterboxes or windows.

2. Close and lock all doors and windows. If you have multi-locking door handles, lift the handle, lock it with the key and remove it. Put the key in a safe place out of sight in case of fire.

3. Lock garages and sheds so garden tools and ladders can't be used to break into your home.

4. Keep side gates locked and wheelie bins stored behind them.

5. Use timer switches linked to lights and a radio so it appears that someone is at home.

6. Invest in a safe for valuables and sentimental items and securely fix it to a solid surface.

7. Install a visible intruder alarm system - burglars do not want to be seen or heard.

8. Install low level 'dusk till dawn' lighting to increase visibility and deter burglars.

9. Keep side and rear boundaries high to restrict access and front boundaries low to remove hiding places.

10. Photograph and mark valuables and sentimental items with your postcode and house number/name. Register items with serial numbers at: www.immobilise.com

Detective Chief Inspector Sian Thomas said: "Although burglaries in Croydon have fallen by more than 20 per cent over the last year, we are committed to driving down burglary even further and are working hard every day to prevent offences, arrest offenders and support victims.

“We have introduced a range of pro-active measures and use innovative technology to tackle offences, but there are still too many people falling victim to burglary and there is more to do.

"During warmer weather people are more likely to leave their doors and windows open to ventilate their properties.

“Walk-in burglaries do increase during the spring and summer months, so please don't be complacent - if you cannot see the door or window then it should be shut and locked.

"If you are out enjoying your garden, remember to shut and lock all windows on the front of your property.

“It only takes a minute to become a victim of a sneak in burglary."