Burglars could strike at homes where empty packaging from Christmas gifts and New Year sales are left openly in outside bins, the police have warned.

Sutton Police are asking residents to be discreet in how they dispose of boxes for expensive goods, like flat screen TVs, laptops and digital cameras as they are an advert to criminals of new items inside homes.

Sutton Crime Prevention Officer PC Pat Simcox urged residents to compact boxes so they go inside the recycling bin or dispose of the rubbish at the Re-use and Recycling Centre at Kimpton Park Way, Sutton.

She said: “This way you won’t be attracting unnecessary attention to all the new purchases inside your home.”

She added: “Burglars will be looking for any opportunity to line their pockets at your expense."