Police have started extra patrols in Beddington in a bid to cut burglaries and other criminal activity.

Officers from the Beddington South and Beddington North Safer Neighbourhoods Teams have started extra uniform and plain-clothes patrols.

The teams are patrolling near homes which back onto alleyways large enough to be accessed by vehicles and could be used by burglars.

As well as using their powers to stop and search individuals, officers are leafleting properties with no lights on to advise householders of the need to make their properties look like they are occupied when no one is home.

The dark winter months traditionally see a rise in the number of burglaries around the country.

Sergeant Ashley Bennetts, of Beddington North Safer Neighbourhoods Team, said: “It is important for residents to take some simple steps to make burglars think that there are people at home.

“We are working closely with residents to do everything we can to help them.”

Police are advising people to have timer switches to turn lights on at different times in the evening and making sure all windows are shut and locked when not at home.

Report any suspicious behaviour to the police immediately on 999. To join a Neighbourhood Watch scheme, visit met.police.uk/sutton.