One of the "Christmas gnomes" marking out houses for robbery (Image: North Wales Police South Flintshire / SWNS)
Homeowners could be at risk at burglary if they find mysterious "Christmas gnomes" placed in their gardens, police have warned.
North Wales Police said it had become aware of the seemingly innocent models being left in the front gardens of homes in Flintshire.
Thieves use the ornaments as "calling cards", police said.
They are used by thieves and criminals to identify the schedules of homeowners and when they are likely to leave the house empty.
Homes with the gnomes left outside will then be targeted for break-ins.
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Police shared a photo of one of the errant gnomes - a grey-bearded figure that appears to be Christmas-themed.
This gnome had been found in the garden of a Broughton resident.
A spokesman for the Flintshire North branch of the force said: “We are aware of a report of individuals in the Broughton area leaving Christmas gnomes in residential front gardens.
“This type of behaviour is sometimes used as a ‘calling card’ to see if the gnome is collected by the resident.
“If not, the property is likely to be empty and could be an easy target for burglaries.
‘‘We would advise residents to be vigilant and ensure your home is secure.”
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Homeowners are advised by cops to keep their properties visible by lowering front garden fences.
They should also install CCTV and alarms in their homes if concerned.
The gnome strategy is revealed after damning stats which showed that police failed to solve a single burglary in neighbourhoods across nearly half of England and Wales in the past three years, the Telegraph reports.
In each of the three worst neighbourhoods in Hampshire, South Yorkshire and south-east London, more than 80 burglaries remained unsolved over the three years
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