Police issue urgent warning to homeowners who mysteriously find Christmas ‘gnomes’ in their garden – as force reveals there’s a sinister motive behind them

Police have issued an urgent warning to homeowners who mysteriously find a ‘Christmas gnome’ in their garden amid fears of a sinister motive.

Detectives have been receiving reports of people in the Broughton area of Wales finding the ornaments with no explanation. 

North Wales Police released an image of a festive decoration – but warned it could represent criminals’ latest weapon to target homes.

Officers suggested it could be a trick by potential burglars to see if anyone is home or not.  

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.’

North Wales Police shared a link to various bits of information and tips for homeowners to keep their property safe and deter potential burglars. 

The force shared five top tips to abide by if you’re going to be leaving your house unattended for a few days.

These included making sure social media posts about holidays aren’t public and are only seen by friends.

Homeowners should also leave lights on and a radio on a timer to make the property appear occupied.

Homeowners are also urged to ask a trusted neighbour to keep an eye on the property as well as closing curtains and parking on their drive.

Newspaper and milk deliveries should also be cancelled when not at home, the force said. 

As part of the appeal, the local policing team urged anyone who witnesses anything suspicious to contact the force via their website or through 101.

It comes amid speculation over ‘the Da Pinchi code’, an apparent tactic in which prospective burglars are said to draw markings outside houses.

For years, anxious homeowners have searched for signs of secret symbols daubed on their streets amid fears thieves are using a series of code to mark properties worth targeting. 

The markings seen outside the family’s home in Sandwell, the West Midlands, raised suspicions it could be connected to thefts of their Audi, BMW and Mercedes on August 9. 

Now, one of the victims has warned people to be on guard, speaking to Birmingham Live last week, he said: ‘We found a suspicious mark on the tree outside of our house, I don’t know if they used that to mark out our house or anything. 

‘We first noticed that about a week before, it was like they scratched off a load of bark, or burnt the tree slightly at the bottom. It’s directly outside the drive.’ 

Markings outside of homes have previously raised concern and in 2013 Devon and Cornwall Police shared an image of signs people should look out for. 

Information included an ‘X’ which supposedly meant ‘Good Target’ and a flower-type shape, with five circles, meaning ‘wealthy’. 

Meanwhile a circled ‘X’ was thought to mean ‘Nothing worth stealing’ and a ‘D’ meant ‘Too risky’. 

But, after investigation, West Mercia Police said that signs actually pointed to utility work planned by firms.

A police spokesperson said: ‘We are aware of messages circulating again on social media purporting to be describing the ‘criminals code’ of paint or chalk markings left outside properties, identifying future potential targets for thieves and burglars.’

‘However, there is no actual evidence to link these symbols to anything other than completely innocent and easily explainable activities.’ 

The various meanings include indicating power lines, flammable material, water, drains or possible excavation routes.

The said the five circles does not indicate a family is wealthy, but instead shows how many cables are inside a cable duct.

However, one locksmith of Keytech locksmiths who previously worked as a contractor with Met Police explained that some marks could have meaning. 

It comes after data this summer revealed that almost 600 burglaries are going unsolved every day.

Some 213,279 police investigations into break-ins were closed last year without a suspect being identified, analysis of Home Office figures by the Liberal Democrats shows today.

This amounts to 76.8 per cent of all cases across England and Wales in 2022-23 – an average of 584 a day, according to the Lib Dems.

South Yorkshire Police was said to have the worst clear-up rate with 84.4 per cent of all recorded burglaries unsolved, followed by Hampshire (83.1) and Scotland Yard (81.6).

The Lib Dems say the drop in neighbourhood policing teams and Police Community Support Officers is to blame.

However, it emerged earlier this summer that police are now attending every home burglary for the first time.

The breakthrough, which follows a deal struck by chief constables, means offenders are being caught in the act and locked up within hours.

Officers now go to the scene of around 500 domestic break-ins a day, latest figures show.

In September all 43 chief constables agreed to prioritise the crime after the Mail exposed appalling prosecution rates which are below 2 per cent in some constabularies.

The historic commitment was seen as a landmark moment because chief constables had previously set their own goals, which differed between forces.

Although the agreement was signed last year, it has taken months for adequate resources to be put in place to fulfil the pledge. But today all 43 forces confirmed that officers visited 100 per cent of burgled homes.

The National Police Chiefs’ Council said prosecution rates would soar because forces could no longer close cases shortly after receiving a 999 call.

Before the agreement, only 4.8 per cent of burglars were charged or cautioned, Office for National Statistics figures show.