A CAMPAIGN to battle burglars who target homes when the clocks go back has been launched.

Hampshire police handed out 70 timer switches, which can turn on lights or televisions automatically, to staff at Basingstoke hospital on Wednesday.

The giveaway kicked off the force's new Lights On initiative, which aims to encourage people who work shifts, or long hours, to use timer switches to deter intruders.

This time of year, when clocks are put back an hour, is traditionally when burglary rates rise in the borough.

People who live in streets or roads which are burglary hot-spots will also be sent letters warning them to be extra vigilant.

They will also be encouraged to report any suspicious activity to the police.

Flyers offering crime reduction advice will be sent to homes which officers and Community Wardens have seen in complete darkness, or those they believe are insecure.

Superintendent Paul Netherton, from Basingstoke police, said: "The reason behind this initiative is that the clocks are going back and at four or five o'clock in the afternoon you can tell which houses are completely empty - there are no lights on and burglars know this.

"Burglars walk along the street and identify houses by the fact that there are no lights on. The purpose of the timer switches is to make homes look occupied.

"People who do shift work are particularly vulnerable as they can work until late in the evening and their house is in darkness.

"Burglary is very low in Basingstoke, probably the lowest it has been in 30 years, but we always suffer rises in the run up to Christmas, particularly when the clocks go back.

"What we need everyone in the borough to do is to install timer switches."

Gavin Wright, director of human resources at Basingstoke hospital, said: "Many of our staff work shifts and could be vulnerable to burglary now the winter and dark evenings are here, so these timer switches have been very well received."

Cllr Brian Gurden, Basingstoke council leader, said: "We give our wholehearted backing to this initiative to protect our residents from becoming an easy target for burglars."

Timer switches can be bought from hardware and DIY stores. British Summer Time ends this weekend.