A police campaign to motivate people into helping prevent burglaries by taking small actions is being trialled in Barnet.

In Barnet, 25 per cent of homes which are burgled were left unsecured by the owners.

The #BeSafe campaign aims to mobilise Londoners to take small crime prevention steps to protect themselves and their property, while officers continue to work to disrupt and arrest the criminals.

It will see the Met police working closely with partners to amplify the campaign and develop packs containing burglary prevention advice to support vulnerable residents in the pilot boroughs of Barnet, Enfield and Lambeth.

Barnet borough commander Simon Rose said: “Burglary can have a devastating effect on people.

“At this time of year we step up our anti-burglary operations to disrupt and arrest burglars.

“You can help us keep it down by carrying out small measures like double locking your door every time you go out and shutting and locking your windows.

“It sounds simple but it really does make a difference – we know across London one in five burgled homes was left unsecure.”

According to police statistics, the average value of items stolen per burglary in Barnet is £1,718.

Most burglaries in Barnet take place between 8am and 7pm during the working day.

A #BeAHero video, posted on YouTube as part of the campaign, shows a local resident being celebrated as a crime fighting hero by police, the media and her neighbours for double locking her front door.

The #BeSafe campaign will see a range of media including digital advertising, radio and PR targeted at residents.

Research from the Met has shown most people know the simple ways to prevent crime but believe police have expert prevention knowledge which would be more effective

The campaign aims to show residents how effective simple measures really are.

Its next phase will see police advising people on how to keep their mobile phones safe.