Police have issued a warning to holiday home owners across the South Hams to take security measures to protect themselves against house raiders.

Many second home owners will be holidaying in the area in the run up to Christmas.

When they leave – often after the New Year – the empty homes could become a target for house raiders, police have warned.

And they are being urged to make sure the houses or flats are secure when they leave and to take any valuables away with them.

They are also being asked to ensure that they let neighbours know where they can be contacted if police need to find them for any reason, explained South Hams police boss Insp Andy Tomlinson.

He pointed out that there had been a slight increase in domestic burglaries across the South Hams over the last year.

He pointed out that there are holiday homes hotspots like Dartmouth and Salcombe but there are second homes properties spread right across the towns and villages in the district.

'Traditionally there is an issue around this time of the year with Christmas presents and thefts from domestic properties and cars,' he said.

'It is also a time of the year when people come down to their holiday homes for the last time before they return again at around Easter.

'We want them to consider the security for their properties when they do leave.'