POLICE and firefighters are taking to the streets to urge people to improve security and safety in their homes.

An advertising trailer is to be towed through the streets of Teesside, promoting home fire safety checks and encouraging people to lock their doors to prevent walk-in burglaries.

The trailer will set off on its travels this week, targeting hot spots - areas that have had a spate of burglaries and fires - in a bid to prevent repeats.

Tony Churchill, Cleveland Fire Brigade's Grangetown station manager, said: "We've taken this opportunity to work with Cleveland Police to promote both of our safety messages.

"We have the same common goal, to make our communities safer, so have grabbed this chance to go out into the community and try to get our messages across in a unique way.''

Glynn Bass, Middlesbrough Police crime reduction officer, said: " This is a very visual example of the police and fire service's working partnership.

"People in Middlesbrough will be used to seeing the trailer and, so long as they continue to allow burglars to take advantage of open or unlocked doors and windows, our advice stays the same: Shut it, lock it.''