Households have been encouraged not to drop their guard when it comes to home security during a summer heatwave.

According to Cheshire Police, many people might be tempted to leave windows and doors open or unlocked as a result of the current spell of hot and sunny weather.

The force has therefore insisted they need to remain conscious of security, even if the house is occupied.

Homeowners were reminded that modern windows have features that allow them to remain locked while still letting in some fresh air. As a result, using these to provide ventilation on hot summer days could be a safer option than opening and unlocking them.

Cheshire Police also stated that valuable items must be kept out of sight, as a prospective thief could be tempted by the sight of items like purses and car keys if they are in view of a window or left on a window sill.

Assistant Chief Constable Ruth Purdie commented: “It is vitally important to have an awareness of your home security so criminals don’t exploit the opportunity of an open door or window to enter your home and steal your belongings.”

She warned that spells of hot weather often lead to a surge in the number of opportunist crimes, with burglars exploiting any possible means of entering a home they may see, such as an unlocked patio or a door that has been left ajar.

The Met Office is predicting that the fine summer heatwave-esque weather will last until the middle of July at least.

This, it stated, means the UK will experience the longest spell of warm and settled summer weather in seven years.

Nick Grahame, chief forecaster at the Met Office, observed: “We have high pressure over the UK at the moment, which normally brings us fine and settled weather at this time of year.”

He added that this high pressure looks likely to dominate the country’s weather over the next few weeks, forcing temperatures to stay well above the average.