‘Don’t make your home a target for thieves during the jubilee,’ say police.

Police in Honiton are urging householders to make sure their property is secured against thieves during the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

According to crime statistics a third of all burglaries enter a property through an open door or window - each offence can often cost a householder an average of �1,000.

PC Clive Vickery said: “Many people attending street parties for the jubilee may not think to lock their doors and close windows as they are celebrating close to their property.

“Burglaries are often opportunistic crimes and with the celebrations creating a distraction it may only take a few minutes for a burglar to enter a property and steal valuable items.

“Simple things like keeping all windows and doors closed and locked and ensuring spare keys are located in secure places can reduce the risk of being burgled.”

Police are reminder homeowners to keep all windows and doors closed and locked and avoid leaving keys in locks near letterboxes or cat flaps.

Keep keys accessible but out of sight and in a safe place.

Fit a security light to the front and back of your property.