Householders in North Herts are being encouraged to lock out crooks – with free timer switches and heavy duty padlocks available while stocks last.

The North Herts Community Safety Partnership – which includes the police and North Herts District Council – has secured funding to make the crime prevention equipment available.

Timers and padlocks will be handed out at engagement events in North Herts but people can also approach police Safer Neighbourhood Teams in Hitchin, Royston, Letchworth and Baldock by calling the non-emergency number 101.

In exchange for the free security items, officers will encourage people to sign up to Neighbourhood Watch schemes.

Police say the timer switches allow householders to arrange for lights to be switched on and off while they’re away from home, to make it look as if the property is occupied, and the heavy duty padlocks are recommended to secure sheds and outbuildings.

North Herts District Council’s Peter Carey said: “Even though North Herts is a low crime area people can still do more to protect homes and property when they go away.

“Timer switches and padlocks are a great way to help make the community a safer place and we are happy to be supporting this initiative.”

Police say tackling burglary in North Herts is a top priority and the number of recorded crimes has fallen by 17 per cent in the past year.