RESIDENTS are being urged to use time switches to fool burglars.
Cleveland Police are bracing themselves for a seasonal increase in burglaries.
Eager to protect a 20 per cent fall in break-ins across Teesside, the force says crooks will take a shine to a house not showing a light and obviously empty.
Homes are most vulnerable in the early evening, before people arrive home from work.
Force crime prevention officer Gerry McBride said: "If your house is in darkness you are a sitting duck.
"The majority of burglaries are still committed by opportunist criminals walking down the street looking for easy targets."
Stockton crime prevention officer Sergeant Dave Shadforth said: "We want to encourage people to consider using light timers around the house.
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