A security expert has revealed the terrifying way in which burglars are 'marking' homes as a potential target.
Brits are being warned to be extra vigilant of the terrifying technique, which has been seen in the Manchester area recently to establish if anyone is at home, or away on holiday.
The chilling method sees burglars place kidney beans on people's doorsteps in the evening or at night, before coming back to check if they're still there the following day.
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The idea is if you're home, they'll be cleaned up, but if you're not, they'll likely remain there.
Security expert Elizabeth Johns told The Sun: "It seems ridiculous, but we heard a while back that people are putting kidney beans on the front of people's doors.
"Obviously, if you're in you'd clean them up. But if you're away then if the tin of kidney beans was still there then that suggests that you're away. This was happening in our local community in Manchester."
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Elizabeth is urging residents to look out for kidney beans left on neighbours' doorsteps as well as their own, and to clean them up if they find them.
She explained how an empty home is always a more desirable target for burglars, so it's always a good idea for residents to ask a neighbour or nearby friend or relative to keep an eye on their property if they do go away on their hols.
Other signs that burglars could be eyeing up your home as a potential target include stones piled near doorways or stickers on dustbins.
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Recently, it was reported that burglars were leaving sellotape over your front door keyholes to assess if anyone is home.
If the tape remains there for a couple of days, it's likely that no one is home, making the property much more of a target.
Topics: Life
Lucy Devine