AS the nights draw in police are asking residents to remain vigilant to keep themselves safe from burglars.

Officers will be stepping up patrols in crime hotspots and knocking on doors of homes that seem to have been left unlocked.

Police are urging people to set burglar alarms when they leave their homes, keep bins away from windows to stop criminals climbing on them to get inside properties and to register valuables on immobilise.com.

Residents can also set up or join Neighbourhood Watch scheme, with more details about schemes at www.ourwatch.org.uk.

Superintendent Dave Pester, Greater Manchester Police's force lead for burglary, said: “We know the devastating impact burglary can have, not just on victims but the wider community too.

"While we did see a decrease in burglary during the start of lockdown earlier this year, with the majority of people spending long periods of time at home, we don't want to come complacent.

"We will continue to do all we can to target offenders and work with our local communities to prevent crime happening in the first place.

“Darker nights create a longer window for burglars to enter homes under darkness, so we are also asking residents to be proactive in keeping their homes safe.

"Taking on board our simple steps to ensure homes are secure with locked doors and alarms if possible, as well as giving the impression that homes are occupied using light timers can all make a big difference.

"Keeping ladders and tools stored away so they cannot be used to enter your home and installing good outside lighting can all help make it harder for burglars.

“Burglaries can happen any time of the day, so it is essential everyone remains vigilant, both day and night.

"If we can all be more pro-active in following our advice, burglary should continue to fall.”