After several residents noticed unusual “Christmas gnomes” on their property, police issued an urgent warning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Although they appear to be innocent, officials have warned that they may have a more “sinister” motive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
North Wales Police’s Flintshire North branch published the warning on social media, along with an example image of the festive d\u00e9cor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gnomes are light enough to be thrown over a fence and could serve as a “calling card” for criminals to identify which properties may be vacant or vulnerable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If a resident notices the gnome, they are unlikely to keep it in place, which means the decorations could reveal which residences are vacant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A spokesman for the Flintshire North branch of the force wrote on social media: \u201cWe are aware of a report of individuals in the Broughton area leaving Christmas gnomes in residential front gardens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis type of behaviour is sometimes used as a \u2018calling card\u2019 to see if the gnome is collected by the resident.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf not, the property is likely to be empty and could be an easy target for burglaries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“We would advise residents to be vigilant and secure their homes.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Anyone who witnesses anything suspicious is urged to contact us via our website or through 101.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The force also directed residents to extra home security recommendations, such as fastening windows, installing cameras, building fences, and keeping any garden equipment out of sight or stored up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For ground-floor windows, laminated glass or security film is recommended, and the police ask that nothing be beneath the window that could aid potential burglars in climbing up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They also warn that criminals tend to target upper floors first using ladders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
North Wales Police advises: \u201cBurglars have been known to use ladders to access upper windows that appear to be unlocked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis is to avoid intruder alarm sensors on the lower floor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThese ladders are either found in a garden or brought by the suspect. You should make sure windows on upper floors have locks or sash stops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou should also extend any alarm sensor coverage to upper rooms.\u201d<\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
After several residents noticed unusual “Christmas gnomes” on their property, police issued an urgent warning. Although they appear to be innocent, officials have warned that they may have a more … <\/p>\n