Home insurance customers may want to follow the advice of police in Manchester and secure their homes to prevent their houses from being burgled.

Chief Inspector Rob Tinsley warned that people are "making it too easy" for burglars by leaving doors unlocked.

Failing to secure their homes puts their possessions at risk, the officer commented, adding that it takes "less than a minute" for a thief to walk into a property and steal mobile phones, mp3 players, car keys or handbags.

"It's crucial that people secure their homes when they are in just as they would when they go out," he commented.

"This includes locking doors and closing windows and putting the house alarm on when going to bed," he advised.

In an effort to boost household security, police in Somerset are promoting the use of the SmartWater system.

Households can mark their possessions with the liquid to ensure they are more easily identifiable in the event of a burglary.

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