West Mercia Police would like to make residents aware that wheelie bins can be used by burglars and suggest that they are kept out of sight.

Wheelie bins can be used by criminals:

• As a climbing aid to help them gain access to your property. Would-be burglars can climb on top of a large bin to help them scale your garden wall or fence.

• As an indicator as to whether or not you are at home. Wheelie bins left out in the street can be an indication that you have not yet returned home from work. Consider asking a trusted neighbour if they would be kind enough to collect your wheelie bins from off the side of the road after they have been emptied.

• As a removal aid to help take the items away that they have stolen. Burglars and thieves can use any insecure and accessible wheelie bins as a carrying cart to take away any items they have stolen from your property.

• To find out information about you. Criminal can search through your wheelie bins looking for any personal information which may be contained in discarded letters and documents. This information can be used in identity theft. Destroy all discarded personal documentation, ideally by shredding it.

• To start small fires. Criminals and vandals can use wheelie bins to help set small fires which can easily spread out of control and cause damage to property and in extreme cases endanger life.

For advice or more information please contact your Safer Neighbourhood Team via 101.