Don’t make your home an easy target for burglars - that’s the message from the Metropolitan Police to south London residents and home-owners ahead of the summer holiday period.

Police in south London are advising residents to keep their homes secure, whether they’re in or out, to help avoid becoming a victim of burglary.

Officers from Safer Neighbourhoods Teams across south London will be looking out for vulnerable homes over the next few weeks. Traditionally there is a rise in the number of burglaries at insecure premises at this time of year as burglars break in through unlocked or open doors and windows.

Burglars are operating both during the daytime and overnight and several homes with UPVC doors that have not been fully locked have also been targeted by thieves. 

Overall, residential burglary across London has fallen by 11.4% over the past 12 months compared to the previous year, but police are keen to remind residents that they have a part to play in continuing this downward trend.

Police are issuing the following top tips to help residents avoid getting burgled over the summer:

• Mark or etch your property with your postcode, house or flat number or the first three letters of your house name.
  
• Register items with a serial number at: www.immobilise.com
• Do not leave your car keys or ID documents near doors, letterbox or windows.
  
• Always check who’s at the door and don’t open it if you feel anxious.
  
• Close and lock all your doors and windows, even if you are only going out for a few minutes.
  
• Keep your valuables out of sight.
  
• Leave some lights on if it will be dark before you get home.
  
• Install a visible burglar alarm.
  
• Always keep sheds and outbuildings locked.
  
• Cancel milk or other deliveries if you will be away for days or weeks at a time.
  

If you see anyone acting suspiciously in your area call 999.

For more information and crime prevention advice on home security, visit: www.metbumblebee.org

As you may be aware, last year Brockley and Sydenham police stations were closed down and the stations at Catford and Deptford are no longer open all the time. 

To help compensate for these closures, Lewisham Police introduced five Contact Points. These are designated places where a police office is in attendance for one hour, three times a week.

The Lewisham Contact Points are as follows:

• Catford Hill Police Station - 128 Catford Hill, SE6 4PS. Wednesday 19.00-20.00, Thursday 19.00-20.00, Saturday 14.00-15.00.
• Blackheath Station - 2 Tranquil Vale, SE3 9LE. Wednesday 19.00-20.00, Thursday 19.00-20.00, Saturday 14.00-15.00.
• Deptford Lounge - 9 Giffin Street, Deptford SE8 4RJ. Wednesday 19.00-20.00, Thursday 19.00-20.00, Saturday 14.00-15.00.
• Sainsbury's Savacentre - Southend Lane, Sydenham SE26 4PU. Wednesday 19.00-20.00, Thursday 19.00-20.00, Saturday 14.00-15.00.
• Post Office - 189-193 Torridon Road, Catford SE6 1RF. Wednesday 19.00-20.00, Thursday 19.00-20.00, Saturday 14.00-15.00.