POLICE in Waverley are urging vehicle and home owners to make sure their property is secure during the summer months.

It is a message Waverley borough commander, Inspector Gary Smith and Sergeant Andy Crane have said before, but “can’t emphasise enough”.

Inspector Smith said: “A couple of people who have admitted their involvement in vehicle crime will be sentenced in August, but the way they have committed their crime has all been very, very similar.

“People have left their cars insecure overnight and an opportunist has come along, tried the door handle and said ‘thank you very much, I can get into the car and take whatever is in there’ – even if it is of very low value.

“What we would ask is please, when you walk away from your car – and I can’t emphasise it enough – lock it and check that it’s locked.”

And the same advice goes to securing houses during the summer months, making sure windows are shut or on the latch and that sheds are properly secured with padlocks.

Inspector Smith added: “It is literally a case of protect yourself so you don’t give any opportunists the chance to come and commit crime in your area.”

Sgt Crane said: “Even if you’re in your house, you need to think about where you are and what you’re doing.

“You’d be amazed at what opportunists are prepared to try – and will do.

“It’s well known they will slip into a house that is occupied because someone has left their bag on the kitchen table, left their purse visible from the back door or wallet somewhere – and they’ll just reach in and take it.”

As previously reported in the Herald, five men were recently put behind bars for a combined total of more than 30 years for conspiracy to commit burglary and robbery.

They were found responsible for 11 ATM ram raids across the area, including two in Farnham.

Inspector Smith said: “Their sentences were in line with those we see nationally for similar offences – but whether they are appropriate is something for society to decide.”

He said police had received positive feedback following the court case, but that there has “some negatives” why it wasn’t done sooner.

“Any action which tips people off needs to be done at a time where there is sufficient evidence so we know they are likely to be placed before a court and sentenced,” he said.

And Sgt Crane added: “Real policing takes time, it’s not like it is on the TV.”