Police are urging people to make sure their homes or businesses are as safe as possible from burglars.

Burglaries in Barking and Dagenham rose from 97 in August to 181 in December 2011.

Barking and Dagenham Community Safety Partnership’s Operation Autumn Nights, encourages public safety, awareness, enhanced patrols and an increase in police enforcement.

Acting Supt Mike Hamer said: “The longer nights help the burglars to commit their crimes by providing extended cover of darkness.”