HOUSEHOLDERS have been urged not to place empty cardboard boxes that once contained expensive Christmas presents alongside the rubbish bin, as it acts as an advertisement to opportunistic burglars.

Police suggest ripping up the cardboard boxes that housed a new television, games console or iPad and taking them down to the recycling centre as soon as they re-open.

Officers also suggest taking a few minutes to property mark new items and register them on the Government backed national property register www.immobilise.com.