Police in Lancashire have warned all property owners that cases of burglary tend to increase during the spring and summer months.

This is because people often leave doors and windows open or unsecured.

Officers in the county will be on patrol over the coming weeks to remind residents how important it is to keep their properties safe.

"It sounds like simple advice, but as the summer approaches we urge residents to be security conscious around their home and garden," said inspector Steve Evans.

"Residents should be checking that they lock their doors and windows at all times. We find that many burglaries happen as a result of people leaving their properties insecure."

Lancashire Constabulary offered some tips for deterring burglars, which could prove useful for landlords looking to beef up the security of their rental homes.

Ensuring that door locks are in good working order is one thing landlords can do to prevent break-ins. Fitting burglar alarms and making sure tenants know how to use them could also help.

Police advised residents to store large items such as bicycles in sheds or garages, so providing some form of secure outdoor storage for tenants could be a good idea.

Similarly, installing automatic timers for lights, which tenants can programme when they go away on holiday, may act as an effective deterrent.

Comprehensive landlord property insurance will provide peace of mind in case a break-in does occur. Policies can include cover for buildings and contents owned by the landlord.

Tenants will need their own contents insurance to protect their possessions.