Security systems company Fidelity ADT urges residents to be mindful of what items they throw away and how they do this.
“We have received information of break-ins that occurred within a day of bin bags being placed outside for collection,” said Charnel Hattingh, head of group marketing and communications at Fidelity ADT.
Not all rubbish bag diggers are innocent.
Would-be thieves may rummage through rubbish to gain information about households before planning a break in.
“Make a conscious effort not to leave boxes or packaging on your pavement alongside rubbish bins. Avoid tempting thieves and rather flatten boxes and conceal them or recycle them,” said Hattingh.
Suspects also look for medication containers and boxes, particularly sleeping medication packaging.
