Sue Hanley, chair of North Worcestershire Community Safety Partnership, shares her top tips for keeping your home and possessions safe.

Once again, end of term is here and the holiday season is well and truly upon us. If you are going away, we would ask you to pay special attention to your home security before heading off on your summer holidays.

A house which is obviously unoccupied can be a tempting target for would-be burglars, but there are some simple steps that you can take to protect your property and help to give you peace of mind when you travel. No one wants to come home from a well earned break to find they have been broken into and their possessions stolen.

Some top tips for holidaymakers are:-

• Let a neighbour or friend know you're going away and arrange for them to check on your house, collect mail, open/close curtains and even park on your drive – be prepared to return the favour!

• Remember to cancel milk and newspapers

• Lock all doors and windows

• Use timer switches to turn lights on during the evenings

• Don't forget your garden! Effective garden security will help keep your home secure. Secure your shed and consider moving bikes and other expensive items into the house

• If available, join a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme to increase the chances of any suspicious activity being noted and immediately reported to the police

• Be careful when discussing holiday plans and avoid "broadcasting" travel arrangements, or that you are abroad, on social media sites such as Facebook

• Have a great time and don’t forget your passport and tickets!

Fortunately, burglary in North Worcestershire remains low, but when these crimes happen they are extremely distressing for those who fall victim to them.

Staying at home? If you are looking for fun and safe activities for children, don’t forget to take a look at www.bromsgrove.gov.uk for full details of the Summer Activities Programme.

For more home security information and to find out more about North Worcestershire Community Safety Partnership and its latest activities, please visit www.nwcsp.org Follow us on Twitter - @SaferBromsgrove.