05 September 2023 , 14:12
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An urgent warning about "Christmas gnomes" mysteriously appearing in gardens has been issued by police.
The seemingly innocent holiday decorations could be a sinister sign of potential burglaries, according to the North Wales Police. A spokesperson for the Flintshire North branch said: "We are aware of a report of individuals in the Broughton area leaving Christmas gnomes in residential front gardens. This type of behaviour is sometimes used as a 'calling card' to see if the gnome is collected by the resident."
The spokesperson further explained the implications of an uncollected gnome, stating, "If not, the property is likely to be empty and could be an easy target for burglaries. We would advise residents to be vigilant and ensure your home is secure." To help homeowners protect their properties, North Wales Police shared a link with valuable information and tips.
This included five top strategies to follow if you're planning to leave your house unattended for a few days:
- If you're off on holiday and wish to post anything on social media, make sure your posts aren't public and that they're only seen by your friends
- Leave lights and a radio on a timer to make the property appear occupied
- Get a trusted neighbour to keep an eye on your property or join a Neighbourhood or resident Watch Scheme
- Consider asking your neighbours to close curtains after dark and to park on your drive
- Remember to cancel newspaper and milk deliveries
As part of the appeal, the local policing team urged anyone who witnesses anything suspicious to contact the force via their website or by calling 101.
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