Burglars have started using the humble garden gnome as a ploy to help them locate potential new targets.
Officers from the North Wales police, covering South Flintshire, have advised residents to be wary of “Christmas gnomes” appearing in their front garden and told them to be vigilant.
They said that the gnomes were being used as a “calling card” by criminals who monitor how long it takes for them to be removed by the resident.
Police said that if the gnome remained in the garden for an extended period, burglars were alerted to the fact that the homes could be empty.
Writing on Facebook, police posted: “We are aware of a report of individuals in the Broughton area leaving Christmas gnomes in residential front gardens.