Home owners are more likely to be burgled next week than at any other time during the year, police have warned.

Officers are urging residents to make sure their homes are secure across the bonfire period in a bid to change the pattern.

There are more burglaries in Sussex on November 5 and the following five nights than at any other time during the year.

The spike is believed to be down to criminals knowing when families will be out and about.

There were 80 burglaries across the county on November 5 between 2009 and 2013 - an average of 16 on that day each year.

In comparison, there were nine burglaries a day in Sussex last year.

Police this year are working with Neighbourhood Watch groups as well as neighbouring forces to encourage residents to make their homes secure and to report suspicious behaviour.

Detective Chief Inspector Paul Betts said: "The statistics show that Bonfire Night and the days around it are popular with burglars as residents go out to events in the evenings.

"We're determined to change that pattern this year by showing residents how they can make their homes more secure and less inviting to intruders.”

The advice includes simple things like making sure windows and doors are locked, putting lights on a timer and not leaving valuables on display.

John Wright, the chairman of Sussex Neighbourhood Watch Federation and a trustee of the Neighbourhood and Home Watch Network, added: "If everybody were to keep an eye open for things out of the ordinary and immediately contacted the police about suspicious activity, career criminals could be put behind bars and prevented from committing further crimes.

"It's all about care in the community and ordinary people helping each other out. The evidence is that where Neighbourhood Watch schemes operate, the chances of being burgled are hugely reduced. And the beauty of it all is that Neighbourhood Watch is free to join."

Sussex Police has launched Operation Magpie to tackle break-ins across the county.

Among recent successes include:

- the jailing of Mark Vine, 37, for 30 months for five counts of fraud and breaking into a home in Woodland Way, Brighton, on October 5 last year. Vine, previously of Stonepound Road, Hassocks, already had six convictions for burglary and a series of theft offences before the latest crimes.

- the charging of Michael Marshall, 34, with two burglaries on October 14 in Elm Grove, Bognor , a burglary on October 13 in Rapley Avenue, Storrington, and possession of a Class B drug. Marshall, of Carleton Road, Chichester, was released on bail to appear at Worthing Magistrates' Court on December 23.

- the charging of Carl Bridgewater, 28, with a burglary at Wantley Hill Estate in Henfield between September 13 and October 27 during which jewellery and cash was stolen. Bridgewater, of Wantley Hill Estate, was ordered to appear at Lewes Crown Court on November 21.

- the charging of Joseph Doyley, 39, with a burglary in Queens Gardens, Eastbourne, on October 18. Doyley, of Cavendish Place, Eastbourne, was remanded in custody to appear at Lewes Crown Court on November 20.

- the arrest of a 20-year-old man on suspicion of a burglary in Connaught Road, Littlehampton, on October 13. The man was released on bail until November 21.

- the arrest of a 25-year-old man and a 23-year-old man on suspicion of a burglary at a home in Birch Close, Lancing, on October 21. Both men have been released on bail until  December 9.

If you have any information about burglaries or shops selling stolen goods, call 101 or email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk. For crime prevention advice visit www.sussex.police.uk.

If you see or hear a burglary taking place call 999 immediately.

Residents can also being encouraged to register their items on the world's largest property database so that if they are stolen, they can be reunited with the owners - and so the offenders can be prosecuted.

You can register your property in just a few minutes by visiting www.immobilise.com. To watch a video about Immobilise and how it works, visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XZ66WEER_c.

For more information about Neighbourhood Watch in your area visit www.ourwatch.org.uk.