Turning the clocks back has put more homes at risk, with the number of burglaries occurring in the UK peaking during the month of November thanks to much darker evenings.

According to Churchill Insurance, a burglary claim is made every four minutes during November, with this month accounting for 14 per cent of all home insurance claims for robbery throughout the whole year, reported Your Mortgage.

It is thought this is the result of daylight falling to just eight hours and 39 minutes a day, losing two hours of sunlight compared with October.

Head of Churchill Insurance Martin Scott advised homeowners to be extra vigilant with keeping their property safe in November, as thieves tend to target homes in the dark.

“As the nights draw in, it’s important to take extra security precautions to make life as hard as possible for intruders, including; installing security lights, a home alarm system or smart door bell so you can keep an eye on your home even when you are out and about,” Mr Scott suggested.

He also reminded people to make sure their doors, windows and garden gates are locked when leaving the house.

Those who have been targeted already should immediately call out a Nottinghamshire locksmith to change their locks and keep the burglars out so they do not target the property a second time.

This advice has been echoed by Lloyds Bank, which recently gave homeowners tips to detract burglars. These include fitting a light timer and security lights, leaving the TV on, fitting a gravel driveway so you can hear anyone approaching, and keeping anything burglars can stand on to access your home out of the way.

The financial services provider revealed there are 35 per cent more claims made for forced burglary during the darker months between 2017 and 2018 compared with the lighter months.