POLICE have issued advice to Hampshire business owners as properties are left empty for longer due to the coronavirus lockdown.

Hampshire Police have asked businesses to be vigilant in checking their security measures and have issued advice on what owners should do to protect their businesses.

A spokesperson from the force said: "Burglary can have serious and long-lasting effects on businesses such as financial loss suffered when repairing damage, lost sales when stock has to be re-ordered, loss of confidence from customers.

"We would advise all businesses to regularly review and improve security measures to protect their business and reduce opportunities for criminals at all times.

"We know stores that do remain open are under unprecedented demand and to support them we are ensuring their premises are regularly visited and supported by officers on our dedicated patrol plans during this time."

Police are advising that owners work with other local businesses, organisations and the police will help to maximize efforts to reduce and prevent crime.

Bosses could train staff to be vigilant and to report suspicious circumstances, as well as keeping high value stock locked away either within an inner secure cage or completely off site.

Owners could also ensure stock that is left on site is protected by additional security systems such as monitored alarms, beams or tremor alarms when premises are unoccupied.

Officers are asking people to not leave money on the premises, consider leaving lights on, tills open and signs saying “no money/valuables left on premises”.

For buildings where very high value stock or significant cash is kept, consider anti-ram bollards to protect vulnerable points around the building.

Ensure all exit and entry points including fire escapes and windows are locked when the building is empty.

To protect any vulnerable windows consider fitting bars or shutters and any commercial premises should be fitted with a monitored alarm system.

It comes as police charged a man following a burglary at London Road Brew House in Southampton.

The burglary took place just before midnight on 31 March, in which a quantity of alcohol was stole

Karl Alexander Fawcett, 37, of no fixed address, has been charged with burglary and has been remanded in custody.