Criminals look forward to the clocks going back.

Most of us don’t relish the thought of the weather growing colder and the nights drawing in. For thieves, it’s a different matter. Shorter days give them more time to work under the cover of darkness.

There is a significant increase in burglary between Halloween and Bonfire Night. Halloween also sees a rise in malicious damage claims to homes and Bonfire Night is often the worst night of the year for both home break-ins and car thefts. Burglars take advantage of people being out of the house at public displays or parties and use the noise of fireworks to cover up suspicious sounds, such as smashing glass.

Of course, all these incidents are covered by standard home and motor policies. But it’s always best to save yourself the worry and stress that comes with being a victim of crime. Many crimes are not pre-planned but are committed by opportunists. So, it's often the simple steps that can have the greatest effect.

• Remove keys from locked doors and leave them somewhere out of sight.
• Shut all windows when you go out.
• If you’re heading out for the evening, try to make your house look occupied. Shut the curtains and think about leaving the radio or TV on – or even the odd light. You can connect these to timers that turn them on and off.
• Never leave a spare key outside or hanging inside a letterbox – burglars know where to find them.
• Move any garden ornaments, potted plants or bikes from the front or side of your house, so that they’re out of sight.
• If you're enjoying a firework party in the garden, make sure your front doors and windows are shut and locked.
• Lock sheds, garages and other outbuildings with robust locks. This protects your garden and DIY equipment. It also stops thieves accessing tools or ladders which could be used to break into your house.