With news channels across the UK reporting on distraction burglaries, homeowners are being warned to be on their guard if unexpected callers turn up at the door this winter.

According to research from the Home Office, more than 17,000 distraction burglaries occur every year.

This type of burglary involves gaining access to a property under false pretences. This can be by either impersonating an authoritative figure, or working in pairs to distract a homeowner while an accomplice gains access to the property through an alternative entry point.

Hannah Adkins, marketing executive for Yale, said: “The majority of visitors mean no harm, so it’s terrible to hear that so many people are being affected by bogus callers, especially as the evenings are getting darker.

“Burglars won’t go to the trouble of breaking in if they can just knock and be invited in. Unfortunately offenders often target innocent, vulnerable people including elderly homeowners, so it’s important to be vigilant when answering your door.”

The security experts at Yale have put together three top tips to help homeowners ensure they don’t become a victim of distraction burglaries.

• Lock all your outer doors before answering the front door to someone you don’t know, as burglars can work together, one distracting you at the front door whilst the other sneaks round the back. For extra security, ensure all door locks comply with British Standards.

• Don’t just open the door, invest in a digital door viewer to see who is there.

• Lastly, secure your front door using a chain. Only release the door chain if you are satisfied that the visitor is who they say they are and have provided a proper form of identification to prove the purpose of their visit.