People have been warned to take care before leaving on holiday after an Oxfordshire family returned to find their home had been burgled.

The family in Courtington Lane, Bloxham, near Banbury, found thieves had broken in and stolen a camcorder. The burglary was reported to police on Friday August 6, at 7.30pm.

Sarah Dunn, of Banbury police, advised people to:

Set domestic alarms and give the monitoring station details of the key holder

Ask a neighbour to keep an eye on your home. Ask them to collect your mail or push it through the letterbox. If they are looking after your pets or watering your plants, ask them to open and close curtains and switch on lights.

Ask neighbours to park on your drive if you have taken your car

Financial documents and any keys should be hidden away

Make sure all windows and doors are closed and locked before you leave

Remember to cancel milk and papers and make use of the Royal Mail letter and parcel-holding service

Have your home address on a piece of paper inside your suitcase, not visible on the outside

Operate a timer-switch for lights and maybe a radio or TV.

Make sure no ladders or other equipment are within easy reach

Cut the lawn before you go away

Safely lock away your jewellery, and don't leave cash in the house.