Shropshire residents are being warned to protect themselves from burglars as police are anticipating a rise in concerns as the darker nights draw in.

Officers have launched a special initiative this week right across the force area to raise awareness about crime prevention tactics and to arrest criminals who make residents’ lives a misery.

Following on from the success of Operation Protect in April this year, West Mercia Police has decided to have another week dedicated to action on burglary.

Police officers say that most burglaries are carried out by opportunistic thieves and West Mercia’s Lighten Up campaign is aiming to provide residents with simple home security advice for the autumn and winter months.

Detective Superintendent Steve Cullen, force crime manager, said: “In reality less than one per cent of homes are burgled each year in West Mercia.

“However we can see from the results of our Crime and Safety survey that domestic burglary is one of the main issues which causes concern among our communities.

“Fear of burglary causes householders anxiety and there are some simple steps people can take, such as better lighting, to help address those fears.”

Posters and leaflets are being distributed in local communities to spread the good advice and thousands of residents have already received electrical timer switches as burglars traditionally target unlit homes.

A highly visible mobile advertising van will appear across West Mercia this week to reinforce the Lighten Up messages.

Meanwhile, extra police officers are to be drafted in to patrol burglary hotspots across Telford as part of a similar initiative which will crack down on thieves. Officers hope Operation Protect 2 will bring residents peace of mind.

Detectives yesterday said that their campaign would target areas of Leegomery, Crescent Road in Hadley and parts of Stirchley, including Ludford Drive and Linley Drive.

Det Supt Cullen added: “Levels of crime in West Mercia are low but we want to make them even lower. The force is committed to targeting persistent burglars and bringing them to justice to ensure local communities remain a safe place to live and work.”

Home Security advice is available on the force website www.westmercia.police.uk