THE nights are drawing in and British Summer Time officially ended on Sunday, when the clocks went back an an hour.

The earlier dark nights can present new opportunities for housebreakers and other acquisitive criminals; however, my officers are committed to creating a safer neighbourhood and have been actively engaging with our communities to offer a range of useful crime prevention advice.

While this information is beneficial all-year round, it is particularly worth considering during the winter months.

This is always a good time to review your home and outbuilding security and ensure that the relevant security measures are in place, such as:

- Check outside lighting is functioning correctly;

- Lock patio doors after use;

- Lock shed doors after use and consider fitting a shed alarm;

- Lock front and back doors with a key;

- Close windows that can be accessed easily;

- Use timer switches for lights and radios in your home;

- In addition, put away tools and devices used such as lawn mowers, garden equipment and DIY materials, thereby avoiding any unnecessary risks of theft, as some garden tools are used by thieves to gain entry;

- Report any suspicious sightings or behaviour in your area;

- Make your home appear occupied, even if it isn’t. If we can spot the obviously empty houses in your street, so can a housebreaker;

- Post-code or indelibly mark all property such as lawnmowers, bikes and tools using ultra-violet pens, forensic marking such as Selecta DNA or Smartwater, or engravers.

PC Allen Paul is the new dedicated East Lothian local delivery officer. A crime prevention survey, which is free of charge, is open to anyone who wants their home security checked by a trained police officer and can be arranged by contacting PC Paul on 01620 827569.

In other matters, your East Lothian Community Action Team have been actively involved in undertaking additional patrols over the last number of nights targeting those involved in anti-social behaviour connected with Hallowe’en and fireworks. This will continue and action taken where offences are committed.

I would remind the public to call 101 for non-emergencies and general enquiries, in an emergency call 999.

If you have information about a crime you can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.