Leaving your natural habitat and going on holiday is a joyous, exciting experience we all look forward to.

But as Britons plan their summer escapes - whether it's holidays abroad or staycations - it's important to remember the risks of leaving your home unattended.

If you're planning a holiday over the next few months, key burglary prevention tips must be noted.

New data has revealed that 264,000 break-ins were recorded across the UK between June 2023 and June 2024.

And with households facing an average cost of £3,896 after a break-in, Britons have been advised that security should be a top priority this summer.

The threat of burglary appears to be weighing heavily on homeowners' minds at the moment, with Google searches for "home security tips" skyrocketing by 5,000 per cent in the past month alone.

With families preparing to leave homes unoccupied for summer breaks, property expert Alison MacLean from St. Modwen Homes has issued guidance on safeguarding properties against opportunistic thieves.

Sharing her top tips for deterring burglars, the expert advised Britons: "Taking a few simple steps to secure your home before you go away can save you a lot of stress - and potentiallymoney - later on.

"Summer should be a time to enjoy yourself, not worry about what's happening back at home. A bit of forward planning now can make all the difference."

UK households facing an average cost of £3,896 after a break-in

Far away from the daily grind, it can be "tempting" to show off your travel plans to loved ones back home - and most of us think nothing of it.

But Alison warned holidaymakers against sharing this kind of content, advising them instead to wait until they return home before posting photos.

"Public posts can alert thieves to an empty house, giving them information on exactly when to break in," she cautioned.

Creating the illusion of occupancy proves crucial, too, according to the expert.

The property guru recommended using timer switches for lights to simulate normal household activity.

She also advised arranging for neighbours to collect any post that might accumulate by your front door.

"A lived-in look can put burglars off," Alison noted, emphasising that observant criminals often look for telltale signs of absence before targeting properties.

Visible security systems serve as "strong deterrents", with Alison suggesting cameras or alarms that send alerts directly to smartphones.

For those on tighter budgets, realistic-looking fake cameras can also discourage burglars at a fraction of the cost.

'Public posts can alert thieves to an empty house, giving them information on exactly when to break in'

Basic precautions remain essential even when at home. The expert stressed the importance of keeping doors and windows locked when out of sight, as these represent the "most common entry points" for intruders during warmer months.

Garden security requires attention, too. Tools and ladders should be locked away securely to prevent their use in break-ins, while motion sensor lights around entry points provide additional protection.

Valuables should be kept away from windowsills and out of street view, Alison advised.

"Thieves often look for quick wins - and if they can't see anything worth taking, they may move on," she explained.

Home security expert at Fantastic Handyman, Ivelin Hristov, also weighed in on how Britons can prevent burglary during the summer months.

Like Alison, Ivelin stressed the importance of making it look like someone is home - even when they're sunning themselves on a beach far away.

Leaving a pair of shoes at the front door is one easy way to do this. It is a free hack that can be done in seconds, but it has a big impact on burglars.

Those who are close to their neighbours might consider getting them involved, too. "You could ask them to leave a different pair of shoes each day so it looks like someone is constantly present at home," he advised.