CUMBRIANS are being urged not to advertise their new Christmas gifts to criminals as police reveal the items most-commonly stolen in 2012.

Officers have compiled a ‘top 12’ list of belongings based on burglaries and thefts around the county over the last 12 months.

Jewellery comes top of the pile, with police receiving 393 reports of such thefts from people's homes, while money came second place with 246 homes targeted.

Forty-one separate instances of money being stolen during thefts from insecure vehicles and property were also recorded.

Mobile phones, computers (including tablets and iPads) and watches came third, fourth and fifth respectively.

Cumbria Police said items on the so-called criminals’ Christmas list shared common traits in that they were easily snatched from insecure cars or properties.

Detective Chief Inspector Lee Johnson said: “As people begin to pack up Christmas for another year and clear out the unwanted boxes from their latest gadgets and gizmos, we want to remind them to be sensible and not advertise their new gifts to criminals.

“Take the boxes and packaging of electrical or expensive items to the tip, rather than putting them outside your home as this can act as an advertisement to opportunist thieves or, at the least, collapse your boxes and wait until the day of your rubbish collection to put them out.

“The items that are in most demand by thieves are the things that are easily taken so please bear this in mind.

“Items like jewellery, money, mobile phones or iPads that are lying around on work tops, window sills or dashboards are easy prey for an opportunist criminal who’s desperate to make some money.

“Electrical items such as power tools can also be easy pickings if your sheds or outhouses are insecure.

“I’d urge everyone to double check their security when they’re putting their Christmas decorations and gifts away for another year.”

The remaining seven items making up the list are handbags, purses, bicycles, sat navs, clothing, other electrical items and car keys.

DCI Johnson added: “Insecurity is the main factor in thefts and burglaries in Cumbria.

“Thieves will walk down a street or through a cul-de-sac and try a row of doors on vehicles and houses.

“When they find one open, they will take anything they can find or easily steal.

“By simply making sure doors are locked we can make their lives harder and, more importantly, keep hold of our precious possessions and new Christmas gifts.

“We are urging everyone to take time to consider their security to help ensure they have a safe and happy 2013.”

Cumbria Police issued the following tips it said people could take to avoid being targeted by criminals:

Never leave your new presents in sight of a doorway or window - this is an open advertisement to potential burglars 

Lock your doors and windows of your home and vehicles 

Don’t put empty boxes or packaging outside your home to advertise what new gadgets or gifts you’ve received 

Use timer switches for lights and radios when you leave your home to celebrate over New Year 

Contact police to help security mark all your new electrical and valuable gifts 

Take advantage of the free bike marking events to prevent thieves taking your bicycles

If you have a house alarm, ensure it works and use it 

Secure outhouses and sheds 

If you are going away over New Year, ask someone you trust to keep an eye on your home 

Look after your neighbours and report ANY suspicious activity, people or vehicles to police immediately on 101

Further advice about keeping homes and property safe is available at www.cumbria.police.uk or by speaking to local policing teams by telephoning 101.