HALIFAX General Insurance has produced some useful advice to help people make their homes more secure from criminals.

It follows publication of a Home Office crime survey which shows that almost 80 per cent of all offences are property-related.

Howard Posner, managing director of Halifax General Insurance, said: “While the headline figure for crime shows no increase in the 12-month period, offences relating to property remain, by some distance, the key statistic. Therefore, we are urging the public to follow some simple advice to improve home security.

“Number one on the list, which seems so obvious, is for people to make sure they lock doors and windows when they are away from their property. However, it is a point well worth labouring - a Home Office statistic shows that in 20 per cent of burglary cases the thief enters through an open door or window.”

He added that it was equally important that the public had adequate home insurance cover. Security tips include:

* Fit visible, key-operated window locks, but do not leave the keys in the locks.

* Lights can deter a thief. Timer switches can be used to turn on lights and radios when there is no one home.

* Of all the places you can think of to hide your spare key, the burglar has probably already thought of. Leaving a key under a mat is as good as leaving a door or window open.

* Out of sight, out of mind. Keep valuable items out of sight when you are not at home.

* If you are away for a long period, get a friend or neighbour to collect your mail and alter curtains etc to make the home appear lived-in.

* Thieves love garden sheds. Expensive equipment is often stored behind a door fitted with a flimsy lock or sometimes not even locked at all - fit a secure padlock.

* Stolen goods are typically sold on for cash, so marked property is harder to sell - consider etching your postcode onto commonly-stolen goods such as electrical equipment.

* Exterior doors should be fitted with five-lever mortice deadlocks. Consider bolts top and bottom for added security.

* Join a Neighbourhood Watch scheme.