Car break-ins are always higher in the run-up to Christmas and during the January sales, as people tend to be shopping a lot more than at other points in the year. People often return to their car to drop items off before they head to another store, and when these items are left in plain view it will be hard for a prospective thief to ignore. The lesson? Only leave your car with any goods in it when you absolutely must and always keep those items out of sight in the boot. Remember it only takes a minute or two for your car to be damaged badly while someone steals all your new gear!

Perhaps more worrying, though, is the rise of outright car thefts during the colder months. Police ascribe this to a scheme where thieves will keep watch over a street, waiting for people to go outside to start the car running before going back into the house while it heats up and de-frosts. When the person leaves the car unattended with the keys in the ignition, the thieves simply jump in and drive off. This year there have been one or two high-profile cases involving this type of crime – one was a case where a gang were convicted after stealing dozens of cars this way. Don’t let yourself get caught out!

• Go shopping with someone else
  This one sounds like an odd suggestion, but this is a time of year when people go out shopping more than they usually would. Women walking along on their own, young teenagers and the elderly are all at risk from have-a-go muggers and pickpockets. Simply having another person with you could mean someone else becomes the target and not you.
• Hide the presents
  You’ve heard the story before – family home is broken into, all the kid’s presents are stolen. Don’t leave the presents under the tree. Put them out first thing in the morning on Christmas day or last thing on Christmas Eve. The most important thing, though, is to make sure that no-one can see into your house, especially to where you have hid the presents!
• Hide your new gear
  Christmas and New Year is when every man and his dog is out socialising. Chances are you just got a new bit of kit too, whether it is a new phone or MP3 player. Resist the urge to show it off to your mates on the bus into town – you never know which sly bugger could be catching a glance with a view to running off with it when you get off the bus.
• Watch your back
  Perhaps the most important thing is to watch yourself. Trouble happens in any place, at any time. With many more people out and about than usual, with more alcohol inside them too, things might get a little out of hand at times. Keep an eye on those around you and always keep yourself safe.

They’re my top tips anyway… What are yours?