South Derbyshire residents are being urged to make sure their homes are secure this Christmas  to avoid a repeat of last year  when there was an increase in burglaries in the District over the Christmas holiday period.

Despite the Police apprehending those responsible for the majority of the burglaries, the Safer South Derbyshire Partnership is keen to prevent a repeat of last year’s events and the distress caused to victims.

There has been a dramatic fall in the total number of burglaries in the district over the past few years  - they were down by 25% in 2006 – 07 compared with 2003/04 - and the decrease would have been even greater had there not been a series of offences around Christmas last year.

The Partnership wants to help ensure this doesn’t happen again and says that by taking a few simple steps residents can make significant improvements to the security of their homes.

Although a display of presents under a tree might look festive, it makes very easy – and visible – pickings for an offender. Leave doing this until close to December 25.

When you buy electrical items as presents, make a record of the serial number – writing them on the purchase receipt is a good idea. All eletrical items have unique serial numbers on them somewhere, you’ll usually find them on the bottom or back of the goods.

Mobile phones – a popular present - have an IMEI number (15 digit serial number) which can be accessed by keying *#06# into most phones or by looking behind the battery of the phone. Write this down and keep it safe away from the phone. You can register your phone for free at www.immobilise.com

There are actions that can be taken after Christmas too. Don’t leave empty boxes or packaging outside; it’s a great advertisement for the new items now available inside your home. Flatten boxes and take them and cardboard packing to your nearest recycling centre.

If you are going away for Christmas, cancel the milk and paper deliveries and ask a friendly neighbour to keep an eye on your property and collect any post.

If you’re off out visiting friends and family after dark, make your home look as if there’s someone in. Timer switches can be used to turn on lights and a radio tuned into a talk station is very effective.

While you’re at home over Christmas might be the ideal time to give your home a security health check – think about a burglar alarm if you don’t have one, buy the timer switches and make sure your door and window locks are strong and in use – according to Home Office figures in around a quarter of offences burglars don’t have to use force – they get in through an open door or window.

Mark property old and new with an ultra violet marker pen, writing your house number and postcode on items such as your TV, computer, DVD player and PlayStation.

Free UV marker pens to help you do this are being given away until Christmas at local police stations including Swadlincote Police Station, the City Centre Enquiry Office at the Assembly Rooms in Derby, Cotton Lane and Peartree.

Chris Smith, Safer Communities Manager with the Safer South Derbyshire Partnership says: “We want to stress that the chances of being a victim of burglary in South Derbyshire are slim. However, while you're far less likely to be a victim of burglary today than a few years back, there can never be room for complacency.

“We hope people will take our advice and, of course, have a very happy Christmas.”