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Police have published a list of special codes and symbols burglars are using to mark properties while planning raids on homes.

The signs such as 'alarmed house', 'wealthy' and 'nothing worth stealing' are etched onto walls or nearby pavements as thieves decide which properties are worth targeting.

Residents are now being urged to look out for the markings, which have been spotted by numerous homeowners in Lanarkshire, Scotland.

Local police published the list of eight codes and symbols on Twitter - the list also includes 'too risky', 'vulnerable occupant' and 'good target'.

Such markings are reported to have been used by burglars across the UK.

Officers in West Yorkshire previously published a similar list - which was branded 'Da Pinci List '.

Following the Lanarkshire Police list, local residents on Facebook said they had spotted similar signs daubed near their properties.

Gemma McPike said: "Outside my house just now is a x with a circle round it.

"My hubby said it was the Virgin Media guys yesterday.

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"I've just called them and they know nothing about it.

"So I've called 101 and reported it.

"However the x with circle round it means "nothing worth stealing" so hopefully nothing to worry about."