Maria Celino-Straker awoke to find kidney beans splattered across her doorstep on Monday and, at first, thought it was a silly prank. However, a relative, who is a former police officer, has since told her potential burglars often use this tactic to gauge whether people are at home.

       If the mess isn't cleaned up after a few days, the same burglars believe the homeowner is on holiday and could target their property.

       Maria told Manchester Evening News: "Look out for your neighbours especially those who are on holiday.

       "If not cleaned up in a couple of days they know you are not home and in they go.

       "Thankfully I'm home and cleaned this up, whoever it was done this about 1am this morning.

       "Apparently this is a known trick of burglars."

       The post has since been shared over 2,000 times by other social media users wanting to warn their friends and neighbours.

       Maria lives in the northeast of England but her relative said this clever tactic is used by crooks across the UK.

       The mum continued: "It's not just beans. They use anything that you would have to clean up and that is not going to wash away with a bit of rain.

       "I posted about it because I wanted to warn people and get them to look out for each other.

       "If it helps one person it was worth it."

       Since the discovery, Maria has been keeping regular tabs on her elderly neighbours and ensures all doors are locked at her home.

       But last month, campaigners warned burglary victims are being "let down" as thousands of thieves escape justice every year.

       A Daily Express investigation revealed there were more than 400,000 break-ins last year, despite -lockdowns meaning more people were at home.