HOUSEHOLDERS should make sure they properly secure their homes while out and about visiting friends and family as burglars make the most of the festive pickings.

New analysis of claims data by insurance companies reveals that there are a number of days in December which see burglaries above the yearly average.

Last year the top five days in December for thieves to strike were in the shopping days leading up to Christmas, peaking on December 23. Bicycles are the most common item stolen in the Christmas period, followed by mobile phones and tablets. In 2014, games console thefts peaked in December (31 per cent above average) resulting in an appearance in the top 10 table for the first time.

So anyone thinking of splashing out on an Xbox or PlayStation for Christmas should be wary of placing it in public view, or leaving packaging in the street.

However, it appears that even burglars take Christmas off with claims rapidly declining on Christmas Eve (65 per cent below the yearly average last year), Christmas Day (56 per cent below) and Boxing Day (41 per cent below).

Direct Line home insurance says burglars have no qualms about exploiting the lingering holiday spirit as four of the top 10 items stolen – tablets, laptops, cameras and audio equipment – all have their highest rate of claims after Christmas.