Police welcomed the caller’s support, but said they can do their job even better if the people of Fintry become more alert.

The caller, a lorry driver, contacted the Tele to say that when driving to work early one morning he spotted police cars patrolling the neighbourhood.

“This area has had a problem with housebreaking and I know a few people who have been victims,” he said.

“It’s great to know that while people are at home the police are going round checking the area and trying to catch those who are up to no good.

“I appreciate what the police are doing and I’m sure many people around here feel the same way.”

Inspector Mark Duncan thanked the caller for his comments as his officers have been giving special attention to tackling housebreaking in Fintry.

“Since the clocks changed at the end of October we did notice an increase, and we’ve been trying very hard to do something about it,” he explained.

“We have been working round the clock with both high profile and low profile patrols, and we have been quite successful.

“Housebreaking in Fintry has been significantly reduced. We have apprehended a number of people including individuals for whom arrest warrants have been outstanding and people who have been in breach of bail curfews.”

Inspector Duncan pledged that the force would not become complacent and would continue to give particular attention to housebreaking — but officers could not do it all on their own.

Most housebreakings have occurred during the late afternoon and evening after the clocks changed, and a high percentage of the homes targeted have been those which have been left without lights on or any sign of life inside.

“Housebreakers have seen these houses, judged that they looked empty and have taken the opportunity to break in,” the inspector explained.

“We need to get the message over to people that when they leave their homes they should leave lights on inside, or leave on the TV or radio.”

As well as making their homes look less vulnerable, Inspector Duncan said Fintry people should act immediately they hear or see any suspicious activity.

He continued, “In a few of the housebreakings we have investigated, neighbours have told us they heard noises or noticed security lights coming on around the times of the break-ins.

“If these neighbours had reported these things to us when they happened we would have been able to act straight away. We need to receive that sort of information when events are happening and not find out about it days later.”

Inspector Duncan said the police have been supported by other agencies in their efforts to make Fintry safer.

The city council have changed the yellow street lights with white lights to make it easier for people to see, and have cut back overgrown foliage to give the estate a more open appearance and remove places for housebreakers to hide.

He added that low profile patrols in Fintry have prompted a reaction from some householders.

“We’ve startled some folk who’ve been surprised to find police officers standing in their gardens and wondered what was going on.”