Operation Accurist, which started last week, aims to protect households from the traditional winter increase in burglaries by providing free energy-saving light bulbs and timer switches.

These can be used by residents to make their home look occupied and reduce the risk of their property being targeted by burglars – thieves are much more likely to target a house in darkness and clearly unoccupied.

Staff from the police crime reduction team and council community safety team will be handing out the freebies for the next three weeks and encourage people to come and take advantage of the opportunity.

"This is an issue which particularly affects people who don't return home until after dark," said Crime Reduction Advisor, Kama Wager.

"For that reason, the community safety team will be making the gadgets available at the bus and railway stations during times people will be making their way home, in a bid to reach as many of our residents as possible."

The free timers and energy saving light bulbs will be available between 5pm and 7pm every Tuesday and Thursday at Aylesbury bus station and Aylesbury train station on the following dates;

Aylesbury bus station:
Thursday 6 November
Tuesday 11 November
Thursday 20 November
Tuesday 25 November

Aylesbury train station:
Thursday 13 November
Tuesday 18 November
Thursday 27 November

If you can't make it on these dates or times, a free property marking pack and light timer switch can be obtained by calling AVDC on 01296 585061 or Thames Valley Police on 01296 396021.