Police officers are urging people living in the Bishop's Castle area to secure their homes as the evenings get darker.
Local officers have noticed that during the autumnal months there is a peak of property burglaries across Shropshire.
"It's that time of year again when the darker nights are upon us," said the Bishop's Castle and Rural Safer Neighbourhood Team. "A simple method of leaving a light on in your home in the evening or late at night can significantly reduce the chance of being a victim of a burglary.
"This time of year there is generally a peak in dwelling burglaries across the county. Thankfully we do get very few dwelling burglaries in our policing area but having a light on may help deter any opportunist thieves looking to target outbuildings."
West Mercia Police has shared their simple security tips which include using timer switches to turn lamps on when people are out of the house; locking windows and doors, and keeping gates and side entrances well secured.
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The warning has been highlighted following the release of crimes and investigations that have happened during mid July to mid September.
Police have reported that a weather van was stolen and a clock was tampered overnight between August 29 and 30 at Bishop's Castle Town Hall. Another theft happened when a parcel was picked up from an address by a courier but was not delivered. Police say enquiries are ongoing.
Bishop's Castle allotments has also been targeted by criminal damage after netting was found to damaged between July 29 and 31. Police also received a report of a road worker being threatened on the A488. Other crimes recorded in Bishop's Castle include four assaults, malicious communications, blackmail and harassment. In Chirbury, police received a report of a burglary after a garage was broken into overnight on September 3 and 4. A padlock was removed but nothing was stolen from inside the garage, police added.
Anyone with information about the crimes must contact West Mercia Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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