New survey claims burglars are 'Using Social Media to Find Targets'
Most burglars are now using social media websites to help target victims and plan their crimes, says a new survey.
According to Sky News, 75% of convicted burglars questioned said sites including Google Street View now play a big part in their planning.
A similar amount said Twitter and Facebook - where users 'check in' to locations - are also being used by criminals.
Security expert Jonathan Lim told Sky News: "Burglars are analysing what's going on. ”They can see people's status updates, with people on Twitter saying: 'I'm away on holiday having a great time'. If they know where you live it's like an open invitation."
Former burglar Richard Taylor is quoted by Sky News as saying: "We're living in the age of the digital criminal and people are taking advantage of social media to access information about would-be victims.
"We'll tell them even when we're going away on holidays. We will let them know that we're not in. We're inviting them... round to our house."
The survey is part of Friedland Security's UK Home Security Report.