Two constables were conducting door-to-doors in the area last night looking for anyone who might have seen anything. One of them suggested that the burglars had succeeded in breaking in to another house in the same street.

Burglars are mostly opportunists making calculations about risk and reward so I suppose we should try to make it harder for them and also not to make it obvious that it's worth their while.

So ...cut back tall hedges that provide camoflauge for burglars. Get window locks fitted. Have more than just a Yale lock on the front door. Try not to leave small portable high-value items within sight of the front room window: laptops, digital cameras, iPhones, iPods.

Can anyone think of any more tips?