RESIDENTS in Bromley are inviting burglars to break into their homes by not locking their doors properly, according to police.

Homeowners with doors that require the handle being lifted up before locking are forgetting to then lock them with a key.

Police also say simple steps like improving lighting can reduce the risk of homes being broken into.

In Bromley there was a 62 per cent increase in burglaries last month (December) compared with the previous year - 247 offences compared with 154 in December 2007.

Residents are also told not to leave their keys in the door as thieves can steal them by reaching through the letterbox.

Bromley police borough commander Chief Superintendent Charles Griggs says he protects his home from being burgled by taking his keys to bed with him.

He said: “I appeal for householders and car users to be vigilant.

“Lock doors and windows and please do not leave your car keys by the front door.

“I take mine to bed with me.”

Police also say that:

- 84 per cent of burglars will NOT target a house with a visible alarm box outside.

- 84 per cent will NOT target a house where there is a belief the premises are occupied.

- 82 per cent will not target properties with nearby CCTV.

- 55 per cent will avoid properties where there an appearance of strong locks.

Bromley police's crime prevention advisor Mick Lane said: "Speaking with a local locksmith this week it is apparent from what he is seeing, particularly in the Orpington area - and this tallies with our own research - that many properties are being entered through unlocked front doors.

“This is where a property is fitted with a door, normally a UVPC door, which has multilocking points but where occupiers are not locking the door.

“There is a mistaken belief that because the door is shut with the handle pulled up then it is locked - it is not. The occupier must lock the door with the key, which must then be removed from the lock to prevent letterbox surfing.

“The installation of security rated doors and windows can actively prevent burglaries.

“We know where PAS 24 rated door sets and BS7950 rated windows have been installed into problematic estates then burglaries have been reduced by 85 per cent."

Mr Lane also says homeowners should get at least three quotes from professional intruder alarm companies when fitting alarms.

He said: “The company must be certified by the Security and Alarms Inspection Board (SSAIB) or National Security Inspectorate (NSI - Nacoss Gold) and all installations must comply to EN50131.

“We would also encourage the installation of timers in properties - these should be fitted to lights, TVs and music centres and staggered to activate at different times daily.

“There is other research that good lighting reduces burglary by a minimum of 20 per cent.

“I would advise that occupiers install dusk-to-dawn low wattage lighting units outside dwellings at all vulnerable points i.e. doors, garages, side entrances and the like.

“These lights should be operated by photoelectric cells which are light-sensitive and will switch lamps on when darkness falls and switch the same off as daybreaks.

“Finally, I would ask householders to visit securedbydesign.com, where occupiers will find a host of good information in respect to crime prevention.”