According to 12 former burglars, who were polled by insurance company Co-op, dogs and CCTV cameras are your best bet when it comes to preventing your home from getting ransacked.

They also named strong heavy doors, a TV being switched on and locked uPVC windows as the next most likely to put them off breaking into a home. But, surprisingly, having a burglar alarm fitted was way down at 13th on the list of deterrents.

Top 10 deterrents for burglars

CCTV camera

Sound of a barking dog

Strong, heavy doors

TV that has been switched on

Locked UPVC windows

Cars parked on driveway

Overlooking property

Surrounding fences

Gates outside the property

Motion-activated security lights

Top 10 deterrents for car thieves

CCTV street camera

Car alarm

Street lighting

Car parked on a driveway

Newer vehicle

Steering lock device

Older car

Neighbourhood Watch-designated areas

Car parked in a dark alleyway

In order of importance, the burglars said that they'd typically be on the lookout for cash, jewellery, electrical equipment like TVs, phones and tablets, laptops and car keys.

Caroline Hunter, head of home insurance at Co-op, said: "Nobody should have to go through the trauma of having their property burgled, and there are some small measures which homeowners should be mindful of to ensure any opportunists cannot be tempted."

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