Police are encouraging residents going away over Christmas to make sure their homes are secure.

Insp Jim White, of Essex Police, said: “Create that illusion of occupancy using lights and radio on timers in rooms you would normally occupy.

“If you are going to be away during the day time, please no half drawn or closed curtains – most of our burglaries occur during the day time and it’s more obvious you are away with closed curtains during the day.”

He added: “Lastly don’t advertise your new goods to thieves when you put your recycling out, turn the boxes inside out, or tear them up and put them in a bag or plain box so the detail is not visible to passers by.”