WORDS of advice are today being issued by police in Suffolk to help keep crime levels as low as possible in 2009.

WORDS of advice are today being issued by police in Suffolk to help keep crime levels as low as possible in 2009.

Suffolk police are urging homeowners to be proactive with the following tips:

Ensure your doors and windows are secured at all times and that all locks are of the appropriate standard. Eighty per cent of domestic burglaries occur where offenders access a property by open or unlocked windows or doors.

Install suitable exterior lighting operated by dusk-to-dawn sensors and internal lighting and radios on timers. Place valuable items or ones that could be used to commit crime in safe storage.

Mark and register your personal items online at www.immobilise.com as well as taking digital images. Offenders particularly target items that can be easily carried or removed from your home and later sold for cash.

The force also issued the following guidelines to deal with bogus callers or rogue traders:

Please be extra vigilant and operate a simple doorstep procedure of locking front and back doors, stopping to think if you are expecting anyone, using a door chain or bar and carefully checking any identification offered.

Be extremely cautious with any callers who are insistent that they must have immediate access to your home.

Further crime reduction advice or information can be obtained by ringing Suffolk police on 01473 613500 and asking for the crime reduction officer for your area.

Other useful resources are the Suffolk police website at www.suffolk.police.uk, Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, and Consumer Direct at www.consumerdirect.gov or on 08454 040506.