POLICE have urged Halton householders to be on their guard against burglars as the dark nights draw in. Detective Inspector Simon Blackwell said residents should assess their homes to see if they can take any simple steps to thwart crooks. Cheshire police said the nights will seem to darken suddenly when the clocks go back on Sunday, October 28. DI Blackwell said residents should: Lock all windows or at most open them slightly while secured with a security lock. Lock doors, even when at home. Keep desirable items out of view. Lock sheds and garages with a strong padlock and ideally fit them with a burglar alarm. DI Blackwell added that residents should make their homes look ‘lived in’ if they have to leave their homes unattended. He told residents to: Buy timer switches that turn on lights and radios to mislead would-be burglars. Install low voltage dusk-till-dawn lights outside. He added that motorists should play their part too by hiding car keys and making sure their vehicles are locked. DI Blackwell said: “We are urging residents to remain security conscious and to take a few steps to ensure their home is secure – especially as the darker nights draw in. “Many burglars are attracted to homes that have been left in darkness – if people are going to be late home from work or out for the night they need to ensure their home is properly secured and not a target for thieves. “Police in Widnes and Runcorn are committed to tackling this type of crime and are doing all they can to reduce the number of incidents in the area and to offer reassurance and valuable security advice to residents.” Anyone with information about burglary can report it to Cheshire police on 101 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. | 
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