With people starting to pack up and head off on their summer holidays, police have issued some top tips to help keep Shropshire houses secure while their owners are away for their annual break.

And to help people keep these hints handy, West Mercia Police has produced a Safe and Secure Beach leaflet, which will be available from county travel agents when people stop by to book their trips.

A house which is obviously unoccupied can be a tempting target for would-be burglars but there are simple steps people can take to protect their property, police say.

West Mercia Police runs Safe and Secure all year round. The scheme offers advice to the public on how to keep themselves, their homes, their gardens and their vehicles protected.

Constable Tim Weaver, Shropshire Division’s crime reduction officer, said there are a number of common tell-tale signs that indicate to a burglar that a house may be empty.

“These include milk bottles or parcels left on the doorstep, newspapers and post left in the letterbox, curtains closed during the day or open at night, unlit houses after dark, all windows shut in very hot weather and an empty driveway,” he said.

“Naturally, circumstances may arise when such situations are unavoidable. However, you can make it more difficult for a burglar by taking just a few small precautions before you go on holiday.”

Tips includes advising neighbours or friends that you are going away, arranging for them to check on the house, collect mail and open and close curtains and encouraging a neighbour to park on your drive.

Other tips issued by the police are remembering to cancel your milk and newspapers, investing in timer switches which turn lights and/or a radio, tuned to a talk radio station, on and off and not putting your home address on luggage when travelling to destinations.

Finally you should lock all doors and windows and set an alarm if you have one.

The new arrow-shaped leaflet contains hints and tips to keep them at the forefront of people’s minds as they prepare to head off for some sun, sea and sand.

“By following these hints and tips, you can reduce the risk of arriving back home after a holiday to find you have been burgled,” he said.