Going on holiday? Don't tell Facebook

Hampshire Police reiterated the advice after a rise in burglaries in July in the Southampton and Romsey areas.

They fear that some could be the result of people unwittingly ‘advertsing’ on social media that their home is empty.

A Hampshire Police spokesman said that criminals were known to trawl Facebook pages seeking to put together information that could help them target propoerties at which no-one is at home.

The force warns that people should not post online detailed information about upcoming holidays.

And officers advise that people should be very careful about posting pictures of their holiday destination while away - a clear ‘wish you were here’ message that their own home is empty.