Householders seeking to avoid having to claim on their home insurance may want to heed a warning from a senior police officer in Manchester.

Chief constable Peter Fahy of Greater Manchester police said many people often believe that burglars only choose to break in homes at night.

However, "things are changing", the officer warned.

"Many burglaries are what are called 'sneak in' thefts where people leave the back door unlocked when they are in another part of the house," he explained.

In such cases, offenders sometimes enter a property and steal mobile phones, purses or any other items on display, Mr Fahy said.

However, many simply attempt to steal keys to cars that are parked on the drive outside, he warned.

People ought to take "all sensible crime prevention measures" to prevent them from becoming victims of thieves, he advised.

Last month, PC Brett Gitsham, a police officer in Yeovil, urged households to ensure their windows and doors are secured and that valuable items are kept out of sight, the Yeovil Express reports.

Home insurance policy holders living in Surrey may welcome news police in the area have launched a crackdown on burglary.The force explained although break-ins were not a major problem in the area, it...

Householders who leave keys in places where they can be seen by passers by could be increasing the likelihood they will have to make a home insurance claim, it has been suggested.Police in Stonesfield...

Home insurance customers in Huddersfield are being offered help that could reduce their chances of having to make a claim.West Yorkshire police announced people visiting the Armitages Garden Centre in...