POLICE are reminding residents in South Gloucestershire to make sure their homes are left secure while on their summer holidays.

The campaign, called 'Your home is your castle', encourages people to remember that while they are thinking about building sandcastles, that their home is their castle. It is designed to help minimise the chances of being burgled while on your summer holidays.

Among the tips that are being advised by officers are reminders to keep doors locked and windows shut, when you are out the house, and even when you are in another part of the house or in the garden, not leaving valuables on display near windows or doors, and to consider using plug timers for lights and radios.

DCI Gary Haskins, lead in the force’s fight to tackle burglars, said: “There’s so much to think about during the summer holidays, keeping the kids entertained, getting everything ready if you're going away and even the back to school stuff, which means we can often forget about home security.

“In the summer months we see an increase in burglaries where windows or doors are left open, because of the warmer days and nights.

“Around a third of all our burglaries involve offenders getting in through open windows or unlocked doors.

“We don’t want people to be terrified in their own homes, but just taking a few sensible precautions could make all the difference and keep an opportunist thief out.”

Avon and Somerset police and crime commissioner Sue Mountstevens said: “Being burgled means more than just the inconvenience of an insurance claim and has the potential to ruin your summer.  Burglary is extremely disruptive and upsetting for the victim and will not be tolerated in Avon and Somerset.

"Working together, with the police, probation, prisons, drug services and the criminal justice system, we are committed to bringing burglars to justice. 

"It is important that everyone across Avon and Somerset is safe and feels safe in their homes knowing their property is secure, both during the summer months and all year round."

For more information on how to protect homes and property, visit www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/advice/