The simple tip experts say can help keep delivered Christmas presents safe from thieves

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Christmas is now just days away, and presents are being ordered and delivered up and down the country, gifts filling doorways and letter boxes of houses across the UK.

But unfortunately not all festive gifts will end up safely nestled under the Christmas tree. One in five (19 per cent) of UK adults has had at least one package stolen over the past year, according to a survey for Checkatrade. READ MORE: Paul McCartney fans serenade star as he's seen leaving luxury Manchester hotel But luckily, there is one handy trick that is easy to implement that can reduce the chances of having packages stolen.

To help deter sneak thieves, Checkatrade’s security expert Dan Smith suggests leaving lights on inside with timers or smart bulbs to create the illusion that someone is always home, even when you’re out.

He said: “And let’s not forget about video doorbells or cameras – not only do they send a clear message to potential thieves that you’re watching, but they also, if you’re able to track your package, check if the parcel has been delivered to a safe spot. “If it has not, you can ask a neighbour to go and scoop it up for you.