‘Going to folks’ for Xmas LOL.’ - Are you telling burglars too much?

With many people due to go away to visit relatives, police say burglars may try using sites such as Facebook, Google+ and Twitter to target homes they know will be empty.

Crime prevention manager George Stepney said: “While we understand the popularity of social networking, posting when you will be away over the festive season or days when your property will be empty could be all the information an opportunist thief needs to burgle your home.

“Often the comments are innocent, made purely because people want to share what they are doing over Christmas and New Year with people they know.”

Mr Stepney issued the following advice.

• Check your privacy settings. Make sure the information you post can only be seen by friends and family, not strangers.

• Think before you post. Are the people who have access to this information people you really know and trust? If not, remove their access.

• Remind children and young people to check their posts can only be seen by people they know and trust.