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Swedish police's top tips for avoiding summer thefts

The number of break-ins increases during the summer ‒ not only when you're off on your travels, but also when you're still at home, Swedish police warn. Here are their best tips for stopping burglars this season. Advertisement Most people assume that break-ins take place during the night or when homes are empty. According to police, just as many take place in daylight hours, even when someone's home. "We regularly see cases where the burglar has entered the property when the resident is at home, out in the garden. You maybe don't think about closing doors and windows, and things move fast once they're inside," said crime analyst Helena Wahlund from the eastern police region. Aside from closing and locking windows and doors, what else do police recommend you do to protect your home? If you have a conservatory, glazed patio or similar, make sure your keys aren't hanging in the lock on the inside of the door. It's easy for thieves to smash the glass with a stone and stick their hand in to unlock the door. You should also clear any ladders or steps away after gardening or DIY work, as these can be used by thieves to access the upper stories of your house. "Don't invite the burglar into your house," Wahlund said. "The longer it takes for them to get in, the higher the chance of someone discovering them trying to break in." It's also worth thinking about where you store any valuables, especially ones that are portable and easy to sell, like jewellery or watches. Thieves will often head straight for the bedroom or bathroom, searching cupboards, drawers and wardrobes where they know these are likely to be stored. "Put them in a place which isn't too obvious," she said. Advertisement There are also a few ways you can protect your home when you're off on your travels, for example by telling your neighbours you're going on holiday and aren't expecting any visitors, or allowing someone else to park in your drive so thieves can't immediately tell that no one is home. In a similar vein, see if you can get someone to cut your grass while you're away, and try and leave your home looking a little bit messy when you go away. If it looks too perfect, that could tip a burglar off to the fact that there's no one home. "You could have a radio playing or lights on a timer," Wahlund said. "Don't tidy up and make it look nice, rather make it looked lived-in as if you were home." You can also install lights which turn on when it gets dark, or lights with a movement detector. Alarms won't always deter a thief, but if you do have one, make sure it's loud ‒ drawing attention to an attempted break-in could scare a thief off. You can also put up security cameras or signs showing that you have a dog ‒ even if you don't.