CUMBRIA Police have been offering valuable tips to residents to keep themselves and their property safe this Christmas.

Officers said security and safety can be bottom of people's priorities as they get into the festive spirit.

To help, Cumbria Police launched an online 'Christmas Tree' with interactive crime safety baubles, each containing a safety message.

The Christmas Tree is decorated with 12 "Christmassy" baubles and each day people clicked on a bauble to find out the tip of the day, from crime prevention, to personal safety.

Chief Supt Steve Johnson said: "We understand that people are very busy and are encouraging people to check out our website and click on the bauble of the day.

"It could help you to plan your Christmas Night out to ensure you get home safe or remind you to check that you have locked that door before going to bed.

"We all want everyone to have a wonderful Christmas and go into the New Year with a good start, not one that is tarnished by being a victim of crime or a perpetrator of crime.

"By all of us working together, we can try and reduce the opportunities criminals have and help to ensure everyone enjoys Christmas."

The tips can be found on www.cumbria.police.uk/12christmastips/index.htm