Police officers in Kent are reminding residents to keep home security in mind as Christmas approaches.

With less than three weeks to go until Christmas day, officers are asking homeowners to remember some key points to protect their homes and property against the threat of burglars.

Key advice includes keeping valuable items out of sight from windows, disposing of packing from valuable items securely and making sure your home looks lived in when you are not there.

Between October, 27 and November, 16 Kent Police teamed up with neighbouring forces in Surrey, Sussex and Thames Valley to target burglary offences as the nights drew in and Christmas approaches.

A combined campaign meant that burglars would find it more difficult to travel to neighbouring county to commit their crime.

The three-week campaign has finished, but officers are continuing to attempt to tackle burglary offences, and in the five weeks since the campaign began 179 people have been arrested, with 55 of those being charged with burglary offences and 28 being charged with other offences.

A number of people arrested remain under investigation.

Superintendent Lee Russell from Kent Police said: "As a result of the crime prevention campaign we ran there has been 94 fewer victims of burglary in the last five weeks, compared to the same period last year.

"This is great news for the people of Kent and as we approach Christmas our focus continues to be around this, and ensuring that as many people as possible don’t become victims this December.

"Officers have been running a number of local initiatives in their districts such as property marking events, and handing out crime prevention kits, and we will continue to do so as if property is security marked we stand a greater chance of returning to its rightful owner if stolen.

"Thanks to our work over the past five weeks there are a number of burglars who are not going to be able to spoil anybody’s Christmas this year."