NO-ONE wants to become a victim of burglary, but houses all over Basingstoke are a burglar's dream because of poor security.

In Basingstoke, several burglaries are reported every week where a burglar enters through an unlocked door or window to steal residents' precious belongings and leave their homes in a mess.

Crime reduction officer Simon Bottom walked through a house with The Gazette to show how it can be vulnerable to a break-in, and highlighted where investing a few pounds in security could save residents the distress of becoming a burglary victim.

Mr Bottom told The Gazette: "Burglars will look for the weakest targets rather than homes that look secure - it's as simple as that.

"When people think about the cost of securing their homes, they should take into account that burglary costs more than just losing valuable items within the house.

"Insurance costs can rise, there is the added time and money spent securing the property afterwards, and there can be an effect on people's health and state of mind."

Lights, locks and alarms are all important elements in making sure a house is as safe from burglars as possible, as Mr Bottom explained while looking at the front door of the house in question.

"The first problem is the lack of a security light," he said. "It's a dark recess here, so when the householder opens the door, he or she is unable to identify someone standing outside in the darkness, while the person who opens the door is illuminated. Also, there is no spy hole in the door to allow the person inside to see who is outside."

Mr Bottom added: "The lock is not suitable - it's just a Yale lock held in by a single screw and it's quite a weak area. Someone could probably open it with a screwdriver.

While there is a chain, that is only there as a security measure when you open the front door, not to the door when you go to bed.

"I would advise everyone to fit a five-lever mortice deadlock. Also, it's no use fitting a good lock on a poor door and door frame - a good quality door and frame are just as important as a good quality lock."