POLICE in Portishead are to launch special patrols of the town in a bid to give advice to people about securing their homes during the winter months

POLICE in Portishead are to launch special patrols of the town in a bid to give advice to people about securing their homes during the winter months.Officers from the town will be pounding the streets and giving advice and safety tips to people to protect their properties from burglars.Portishead neighbourhood beat manager PC Martin Faithfull said: "Now that the nights are drawing in and it is getting darker earlier in the evenings we want to remind people to be vigilant and protect their properties from unwanted attention."We are reminding people to be mindful when leaving their property unattended for any period of time, especially if their property is left unoccupied during the hours of darkness."Burglary is a distressing crime and the darker evenings lend themselves to offenders targeting properties that appear to be unoccupied."Tips to protect homes include fitting security lighting or timers to lights and remembering not to leave items such as milk or parcels on the doorstep.People are also being urged to lock side gates and garages and to make sure papers or post left partially hanging out of letterboxes are taken in.Local retailers have also been asked to ensure any deliveries to homes are left somewhere where it is not obvious the owner isn't home.PC Faithfull added: "Over the coming weeks the team will be looking out for vulnerable properties whilst on patrol."Any found will receive a letter explaining why the house is considered vulnerable together with crime prevention advice."Anyone wanting crime prevention advice can contact the neighbourhood policing team on 08454567000.