POLICE have warned of an increased threat of burglary following the end of British summer time.

Senior officers claim there is a “spike” in theft offences around the time the clocks change and have issued advice aimed at keeping residents and property safe.

Chief Superintendent Neil Basu, the Barnet Borough Commander said: "Winter time has a variety of aspects that people need to be wary of, but one of the biggest is burglary.

"While Barnet is a low crime area, residential burglaries are sadly very common across London at the moment, and our borough is no exception.

"Historically we find that there is a spike in burglary around the time that the clocks change due to earlier darkness providing opportunist thieves with more cover and anonymity while people are still at work or on the school runs.”

He said Safer Neighbourhood Teams will be stepping up their patrols over this period, but also urged residents to help protect their homes by following the vault scheme.

The campaign is targeted at ensuring valuables are locked away, making sure the home appears occupied, removing heavy bushes and making sure fences are secure, checking locks and securing tools which could be used to break into a house.

Mr Basu said: "While following these rules is not a guarantee your home won't be burgled when you consider the vast majority of break-ins are committed by opportunist burglars you can vastly improve your home's safety."