CRIME Prevention Officer PC Neil Langthorne says one of the key messages of Operation Lancelot is: "A house in darkness is a vulnerable one".
Two out of three burglaries which occur during the winter months take place between 4pm and 9pm.
PC Langthorne said: "It is an essential ingredient of any home security package to ensure your home appears occupied. The message is quite simple, do not give the criminal a reason to give your home a second glance."
The solution is security lighting.
"Interior lighting should be operated using a light timer or dusk to dawn switch.
Exterior lighting should ideally illuminate all sides of a home.
Bulkhead lights of anti-vandal construction, fitted with photo-electric switch to operate automatically between dusk and dawn will achieve this.
These lights have a low energy fluorescent tube and cost less than 1p a night to run.
Both items can be purchased by contacting the Crime Reduction Unit at Spennymoor Police Office on (01325) 742755.
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