PEOPLE are being warned to be on their guard against crime in the run-up to Christmas .

Victim Support in Darlington is urging people to take a common-sense approach to Christmas shopping and take simple steps to prevent opportunist thieves targeting them and ruining the festive season.

Last year in December there were 102 burglaries in Darlington, 11 thefts from people, two pickpocket offences, 24 bike thefts and 48 thefts from cars reported to police.

Sandra Watson, Victim Support co-ordinator, said thieves know shoppers are carrying more money than usual at this time of year and will look for the easiest target.

She advised women against carrying their purses in bags that go on their backs, as this makes it easier for thieves to open the bags and take purses out without being noticed.

Mrs Watson urged people to lock shopping in the boot of the car, out of sight.

"So many people put bags of shopping on the back seat, lock the car and go back to do some more shopping, but it only takes two seconds to break a car window," she said.

Once people get the shopping home, some take gifts out of boxes to wrap them and then put the boxes out for the bin men, virtually advertising to thieves what they have in their house.

"People need to break the boxes down and put them in bin liners so people don't know what they've got, or thieves will see these things, DVDs, computers and games and know to target that house," she explained.

Households should also have a timer on house lights, so they still come on when it gets dark even if people are out.

"Burglars are more likely to target a house that is in darkness, than one that is lit-up, because they don't want to be caught," she added.

"We need to make people aware that unfortunately there are people out there that will steal Christmas gifts, and people need to be responsible themselves and take precautions."

Any victim of crime can contact Darlington Victim Support in Duke Street, for support and advice on (01325) 282966.