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Top five digital trends in modern entertainment for 2025

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Top five digital trends in modern entertainment for 2025

Regarding implementing new technologies, the entertainment industry has always led the way. From the emergence of streaming services to the development of more realistic video games, digital advancement has fundamentally impacted how we enjoy our preferred pastimes. It is quite evident from considering 2025 that these developments will only accelerate. Let us examine five main trends altering entertainment now and how they are opening doors for the future.

1. Streaming Takes Center Stage: The Future of Content Consumption

With on-demand access to an enormous collection of material, streaming services have become the pillar of entertainment. By 2025, streaming will surpass just passive watching experiences. Real-time polls or adaptable narratives are among the interactive components that probably will become standard. This change lets viewers relate to the material they consume more actively. Focusing on certain genres or groups, niche platforms—which provide highly customized experiences for audiences—are increasingly becoming popular. Furthermore, artificial intelligence is helping to improve suggestions so that viewers constantly find something suited for their taste. These developments point to a day when streaming will be about creating a customized trip rather than being about material.

2. Immersive Gaming: The Evolution of Casino Entertainment

It’s still clear that gaming, especially casino gaming, is a big source of new ideas in the entertainment business. Live player games have changed the way people play at online casinos by letting them connect with real people in real time and experience the thrill of a real casino from home. These sets let players connect with agents and other players, which makes the games feel more like a community.

Online casinos are also growing in popularity, providing players with diverse options to enjoy their favorite games. Platforms, including kansas online casinos, have attracted attention by offering convenient access to exciting games and immersive experiences. This surge highlights the increasing demand for digital platforms that prioritize accessibility and variety.

In addition, the combination of cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology is changing the gaming industry by making it safer and more open. Systems that are driven by AI are also helping to encourage ethical games by finding trends of behavior to keep players safe. These new ideas are not only making gambling games more fun, but they are also making them better and more reliable for fans all over the world.

3. Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality: Beyond the Basics

Virtual reality and augmented reality aren’t just used for games anymore. These tools are becoming important parts of many types of entertainment. AR and VR are now being used in movies, shows, and even live acts to make unique experiences.

More and more big towns are getting VR theaters, and gadgets that people can use at home are getting cheaper, so people can go on adventures in other worlds from the comfort of their own living rooms. Companies are also making it harder to tell the difference between fiction and reality by adding mixed experiences to live events where people can connect with digital elements.

In the future, VR theme parks that mix real and virtual worlds could be fully engaging. VR and AR have a lot of promise in the entertainment industry. They can add a new layer to how we experience stories and events.

4. Social Media as Entertainment Hubs

Social media sites have changed a lot since they were first created to connect people. These sites are now big entertainment places where you can find short videos, live streams, and tasks you can play online. TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube are the most popular sites, with millions of new people joining every day.

Bite-sized material is becoming more and more popular, and makers are getting more creative to keep people interested. AI tools are helping leaders make unique experiences for their fans, like votes and filters that they can interact with and videos that are made just for them.

Making money from ads, partnerships, and fan donations has also become an important part. Creators use these sources to keep their work going. As entertainment becomes more integrated into social media, it gets harder to tell the difference between professional and user-generated material.

5. AI and Personalized Experiences in Entertainment

In ways we never thought possible, AI is changing entertainment. AI is making everything more personalized and fun, from music streaming services that make mixes based on your mood to game systems that change how hard they are based on your skill level.

In 2025, material like music, movies, and art that is made by AI will become more popular. Even though these works are based on technology, they will offer a new point of view that combines imagination with mathematical accuracy. Virtual helpers and robots are also making it easier for people to interact with content by responding in real time and making suggestions based on personal preferences.

But the rising role of AI in entertainment brings up moral questions. Can AI really make art that looks like it was made by a real person? As technology gets better, these arguments are likely to keep going, making sure that entertainment changes in a good way.

Conclusion

Without a doubt, internet leisure is the way of the future. As we’ve seen, innovations in streaming, interactive games, and the rise of AR/VR are all going to change the way we interact with material. AI and social media are making events even more personalized, which makes entertainment more lively and open to everyone.

As 2025 draws near, it’s important to keep up with these trends so you can fully enjoy the exciting opportunities they bring. These improvements make sure that there’s something for everyone in the constantly changing digital world, whether you’re a casual watcher, a serious gamer, or a tech fanatic.

Gedling Borough Council announces bin collection changes over festive period

Gedling Eye
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Gedling Borough Council announces bin collection changes over festive period

Residents in Gedling borough are being reminded of adjustments to rubbish and recycling collection schedules during the festive period.

All households will be affected by the Christmas bin collection changes this year due to Christmas Day falling midweek,

All collections will be earlier than usual, starting on Saturday, December 21, until Monday, January 1

A spokesman for Gedling Borough Council said: “Please make sure that your bin is put out before 6am as we will be collecting  all bins earlier than usual.”

When will my bin get collected over Christmas?

Bins will be collected on the following dates over the festive period:

Usual collection dateRevised collection date
Monday 23 DecSaturday 21 Dec
Tuesday 24 DecMonday 23 Dec
Wednesday 25 DecTuesday 24 Dec
Thursday 26 DecFriday 27 Dec
Friday 27 DecSaturday 28 Dec
Wednesday 1 JanThursday 2 Jan
Thursday 2 JanFriday 3 Jan
Friday 3 JanSaturday 4 Jan

Will the council be taking extra rubbing over Christmas?

Yes.

The council will be collecting extra rubbish between 21 December-10 January 2025:

  • a maximum of 2 extra bags of black bin waste (leave next to your black bin when it goes out for emptying), 
  • extra recycling, please leave it in cardboard boxes (next to your green bin when you put it out for emptying)

Driver detained in Colwick for possession of cannabis and ‘going equipped to steal’

Emily Sanchez
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Driver detained in Colwick for possession of cannabis and ‘going equipped to steal’

A man has been arrested in Colwick on suspicion of ‘going equipped to steal.’ and possession of cannabis by the police’s road teams – who have stepped up patrols in the run up to Christmas.

He was also detained on suspicion of driving while disqualified and driving without insurance

The force’s dedicated roads crime team, supported by road policing colleagues, followed and stopped the car in Candle Meadow, Colwick, last Friday (6) which was suspected to be involved in criminality.

He was stopped by Nottinghamshire Police’s dedicated roads crime team PHOTO: Adobe Stock

Searches of the vehicle led to a 36-year-old man being detained.

He was also breathalysed, with the reading coming back as negative.

Chief Inspector James Walker, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “We will continue to proactively patrol the roads, whether they’re strategic main routes or rural roads, to identify and target drink and drug drivers and take appropriate action to make sure all road users are safe.”

Anyone with information about suspected drink or drug driving should contact Nottinghamshire Police, by calling 101.

In case of an emergency, or if you believe a crime is in progress, always dial 999.

Ofcom fines Royal Mail £10.5m for ‘poor delivery performance’

David Bratton
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Ofcom fines Royal Mail £10.5m for ‘poor delivery performance’

Ofcom has today (13) fined Royal Mail £10,500,000 for failing to meet its First and Second Class delivery targets in the 2023/24 financial year. 

It is the second time the regulator found the company in breach of its regulatory obligations in recent years, after they fined it £5.6m in November 2023 for its performance during 2022/23.

Ofcom’s rules require Royal Mail to deliver, in each financial year, 93% of First Class mail within one working day of collection and 98.5% of Second Class mail within three working days of collection.

Royal Mail
The company blamed its poor performance on its challenging financial position

From April 2023 to March 2024, the company only delivered 74.7% of First Class mail on time and 92.7% of Second Class mail on time. The company blamed its poor performance on its challenging financial position, and delays to the ballot on a deal that followed the previous year’s industrial action.

Ian Strawhorne, Ofcom’s director of enforcement, said: “With millions of letters arriving late, far too many people aren’t getting what they pay for when they buy a stamp. Royal Mail’s poor service is now eroding public trust in one of the UK’s oldest institutions.

“This is the second time we’ve fined the company since the pandemic. Royal Mail has provided an improvement plan, and we’re seeing some signs of progress, but it must go further and faster to deliver the service that people expect.”

The financial penalty of £10,500,000 will be passed in full to HM Treasury, and a non-confidential version of Ofcom’s full decision will be published in due course.

The fine includes a 30% reduction from the £15,000,000 we would otherwise have imposed, reflecting Royal Mail’s admissions of liability and agreement to settle the case.

ALFRED SWINSCOE: New BBC documentary reveals FAMILY FRIEND with ‘history of violence’ is suspect in unsolved murder of miner who went to pub toilet and then vanished 57 years ago

David Bratton
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ALFRED SWINSCOE: New BBC documentary reveals FAMILY FRIEND with ‘history of violence’ is suspect in unsolved murder of miner who went to pub toilet and then vanished 57 years ago

A new BBC documentary airing tonight (13) will delve into the unsolved murder of Alfred Swinscow, and claims a family friend with ‘a history of violence’ was one of two suspects police have identified.

Mr Swinscoe’s remains were discovered in a field near Ravenshead last year and his family identified him by a pair of odd socks he was wearing.

The investigation by the BBC has established that a family friend is one of two suspects in the unsolved murder.

Both suspects in the murder were known to Alfred and one was a family friend with a history of violence, it will reveal.

The Odd Socks Murder, which will be broadcast on BBC One in the East Midlands also uncovers that Alfred’s family gave one of the suspect’s names to the police at the time of his disappearance 

The documentary raises questions about the thoroughness of both that original investigation – and the current murder inquiry. 

Alfred Swinscoe, aged 54 at the time, went missing in mysterious and unusual circumstances
The odd socks that led to the family identifying the remains of Mr Swinscoe

Alfred (54) was last seen alive by his family in the Miners Arms pub in the Derbyshire village of Pinxton in January 1967. His remains were found in a farmer’s field in April 2023, and it was discovered that he had been beaten and stabbed repeatedly in the neck. Alfred’s grandson, Russell Lowbridge, identified his body by the distinctive socks he was wearing.  

In August 2024, Nottinghamshire Police identified two suspects in Alfred’s historic murder. However, both suspects have since passed away and have not been named by the police. 

While the BBC have said they will not be naming the suspects, interviews with those who knew the family friend, as well as historical records, build a picture of a man with a history of violence. 

In August 2024, Nottinghamshire Police said this suspect had access to a vehicle and carried out a violent assault in April 1966 – a year before Mr Swinscoe was killed, inflicting some similar injuries on the victim. 

The BBC has established that the victim of that attack was a man called John Shawcroft. 

He has lived in Pinxton all of his life. He drank in the Miner’s Arms, where Mr Swinscoe was last seen, and saw him regularly. 

He also knew the “family friend” suspect well. 

“We used to go drinking,“ he said. “And mess about with motorbikes and cars.” 

But their friendship ended suddenly one night in April 1966. 

After driving to Mansfield to go drinking, the pair were sitting in the man’s car together. 

Without warning, he hit Mr Shawcroft in the face, then walked from the driver’s side to the passenger seat, dragged him out of the car and kicked him repeatedly as he lay on the floor. 

“We were just talking. Next thing bang,” said Mr Shawcroft. “I can remember him kicking me and that were it. I just lay there, I did.” 

Mr Shawcroft was left “bleeding profusely”, and was so badly injured he was in hospital for two weeks. 

Nottinghamshire Police said some of his wounds were similar to the blunt-force injuries believed to have been inflicted on Mr Swinscoe. 

His attacker was convicted of malicious wounding, one of the most serious violent offences in our legal system. 

After Alfred’s body was unearthed in 2023, the police issued an appeal for information, but have been accused of disregarding potentially new evidence from other witnesses. The BBC revealed details of its investigation to Mr Swinscoe’s grandson Russell Lowbridge. 

“It don’t seem right, does it,” Mr Lowbridge said. “They put an appeal out there for the public to help, and to me that’s just snubbing them.” 

  • The Odd Socks Murder will broadcast on BBC One on Friday, December 13 – and will be available on BBC iPlayer.  

Gedling Borough Council cabinet approve masterplan to improve Arnold town centre

David Bratton
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Gedling Borough Council cabinet approve masterplan to improve Arnold town centre

Gedling Borough Council’s cabinet have officially approved the authority’s long-term plan to improve Arnold.

They say Ambition Arnold Visionary Masterplan report is a strategic framework designed to revitalise Arnold town centre and address its long-term sustainability.

Cabinet members met today (12) to discuss the report which was created following extensive public consultation and reveals strong support for improvements across key areas in Arnold.

The consultation, held in summer 2024, gathered feedback from over 650 residents and stakeholders. Findings showed clear backing for measures to improve the town’s appearance, diversify its shops, enhance safety, and create more appealing public spaces. Residents highlighted priorities such as reducing vacant shops, tackling anti-social behaviour, and providing better facilities for pedestrians and young people.

The council was awarded £150,000 from the One Public Estate (OPE) programme to support the feasibility studies to see how the Arnold Town Centre could be improved. A further £200,000 from existing budgets was used to create a business plan, surveys, and design works that will bring to life the vision of a revitalised town centre.

The council said the delivery of the masterplan is subject to significant funding, either from government, private investors or a combination of the two. 

Leader of Gedling Borough Council, Councillor John Clarke MBE said: “Arnold is a vibrant community with great potential.

“This masterplan gives us a clear vision for creating a thriving town centre that meets residents’ needs and attracts investment. Public feedback has been central to shaping this plan, and we are committed to delivering improvements that make a real difference. 

“We need to be clear that this is just a plan, for us to realise any of this, we will need huge investment, either from central government or through the private sector but this document makes it clear that if you invest in the area, it will deliver incredible results for the region.

Now that is has been approved by Cabinet, the Ambition Arnold Visionary Masterplan will serve as a framework for future projects and funding bids, supporting the regeneration and long-term prosperity of the town.

You can find out more about the plan at www.gedling.gov.uk/ambition-arnold

Council confirms it wants to make Eagle Square permanent home of Arnold Market

Gedling Eye
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Council confirms it wants to make Eagle Square permanent home of Arnold Market

Gedling Borough Council has confirmed it wants to make Eagle Square the permanent home of Arnold Market, subject to final approvals.

The decision follows extensive consultations and the council said it aligns with the long-term vision for Arnold town centre’s development.

The market was temporarily relocated to Eagle Square in 2022.

Feedback from traders, businesses, and residents highlighted strong support for the move, with many recognising the benefits of keeping the market in this central location. Retailers and market traders were especially supportive, citing the market’s potential to drive footfall and boost local trade.

A recent consultation gathered input from over 130 stakeholders, including shoppers, business owners, and traders. While public opinion was mixed, with 48% of residents in favour, 62% of businesses and all market traders supported the permanent relocation. Suggestions included more variety in market stalls, regular deep cleaning of the area, and introducing specialist markets such as farmers’ or artisan events.

The market area has also seen significant investment with over £20,000 agreed for new canopies to be installed in the new year, alongside recent changes to the landscape of Eagle Square to make it more accessible, funded by the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund.

The council’s broader Ambition Arnold masterplan, which aims to revitalise the town centre, also prioritised enhancing the market offer. A benchmarking review showed Arnold’s market days bring higher footfall compared to similar towns, underlining its importance to the local economy. Despite this, the market has struggled to attract traders, with current numbers below the national average.

Plans for Eagle Square include a review of pricing, marketing, and management models to create a sustainable and vibrant market strategy. The council is committed to supporting local entrepreneurs and increasing visitor numbers to ensure the market thrives.

Councillor John Clarke MBE, Leader of Gedling Borough Council, said: “Arnold Market is a key part of the town’s identity, and keeping it at Eagle Square is the right decision for the community.

“We have been in constant contact with the traders, who have been on the site for over three years, and they have been supportive of this permanent move.

“The ambition we have for all of Arnold, our largest town centre and most visited shopping centre, will help revitalise our town centre, support local businesses, and attract more visitors. We’re committed to ensuring the market becomes a thriving hub for traders and shoppers alike.”

Final decisions will follow necessary planning and street trading permissions, expected in early 2025.

The story behind the tragic family murder in Colwick Woods that led to mass deaths in Nottingham

Graham Finch
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The story behind the tragic family murder in Colwick Woods that led to mass deaths in Nottingham

Back in 1844 one man’s crimes led to the deaths of more than 20 people – but he wasn’t a serial killer. He horrifically butchered his family to death – but it was his execution that led to the death of 17 more people.

Here’s the story of William Saville….

Happy marriage

Saville came from Blidworth, and had worked as a farm labourer as a young man. However, he later became a framework knitter.

In his twenties he met and wooed a woman named Ann Ward. She was older than William and already had one child. They became lovers, and when Ann found that she was pregnant again, her family persuaded William to do the right thing and marry her.

It is believed that Ann’s sister had actually paid William to turn up for the wedding!

The marriage seemed happy enough to begin with. The couple certainly produced two further children.

Gone sour

But things turned sour, and after nine years of marriage, Wiilliam decided to leave. In January 1844, He abandoned his family and went to live in another part of the town. He soon found another woman and talked of emigrating to America with her, so they could marry. He did not tell his new lady friend that he had a wife and children, of course.

Meanwhile Ann and the children had no income at all and were forced to go into a workhouse.

Ann tracked down her errant husband, and somehow managed to persuade him to come back and take responsibility for her and their family. William Saville grudgingly agreed
but it wasn’t long before he regretted doing so. He wanted to go back to his new partner, but his family responsibilities were proving a real obstacle to his chance of a new life.

Slaughtered

On the last day of May, a Friday, he took his wife and three children for a walk in Colwick Woods. This might appear to be a kind act by a caring father, but it wasn’t a picnic that he had in mind. The only thing he’d packed for the outing was his cut-throat razor.

At about 12.30pm he killed each member of his family in turn by slitting their throats. He then went home and made himself a meal. He obviously found multiple murder a hungry occupation. Freeman, an ex-soldier, informed the authorities, and Saville’s fate was sealed.

Mrs William Saville and her children are buried at Old Colwick Church in unmarked graves

His trial was held on 27th July and was a very short one. With the evidence from Freeman, plus his obvious motive, he was found guilty and sentenced to death.

His hanging took place on the steps of Shire Hall on Friday 9th August 1844. A public hanging was always a great attraction and tens of thousands came to watch.

People would bring their families, as it was part of their education to see a man die for his crimes. However, it has to be admitted that drunkenness and wild behaviour raucous laughter, swearing and shouting – were very common. Whether it was even a deterrent is arguable, because although theft could be a capital offence, a public hanging was the best day of the year for the pickpockets in the crowd.

A hanging in those days was not a long drop that quickly broke a man’s neck. It was a short drop, which could leave the man choking to death for up to ten minutes or more. The street outside Shire Hall – High Pavement was quite narrow and it was packed with noisy
spectators who had turned up to watch the morning’s entertainment. As the trapdoor opened, the people at the back of the crowd pressed forward to get a look. There was no room for those at the front to move forward, and they pushed backwards.

The resulting crush was horrific, and dozens fell and were trampled

After the authorities had restored order, it was found that there were twelve dead, incuding eight children and five more died of their injuries in the days that followed.

Thus the punishment of William Saville on that terrible day in August 1844 cost far more lives than the crime he had committed. He had killed four members of his family. At his execution, an incredible seventeen further lives were lost.

New Daybrook care home to open with name inspired by area’s history

David Bratton
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New Daybrook care home to open with name inspired by area’s history

A new retirement living development opening next year in Daybrook will have a name based on the area’s history. 

McCarthy Stone, the UK’s leading developer and manager of retirement communities, has named the new development on Mansfield Road as Davison House.

The name pays homage to the Davison and Hawksley Worsted Mill, a five-storey mill which saw the first sign of local industrialism back in 1792.

Led by Robert Davison and John Hawksley, the mill covered a varied collection of works and hosted a workshop, wool warehouse, dyehouse, granary, stables and even a large millpond where workers handled raw cotton and wool to produce finished goods. 

The mill pond remains as a feature in Arnot Hill Park.

An artist’s impression of the Davison and Hawksley Worsted Mill in Daybrook
The mill pond still remains as a feature in Arnot Hill Park in Arnold

The last partner, Hawksley, died in 1815 and the machinery was sold off and the site converted into Nottingham’s first gas works.

Offering a glimpse of the attractive lifestyle on offer, McCarthy Stone has also released a series of CGI images of what Davison House will look like once complete. 

With construction well underway, the new addition to Daybrook will offer a collection of low-maintenance, energy efficient and affordable retirement apartments, designed to support the over 60s to make the most of their retirement years. Each property will have access to a wealth of communal spaces, including a well-appointed lounge for regular social events and beautiful landscape gardens.

Declan Fishwick, business development manager at McCarthy Stone said: “At McCarthy Stone, we believe we don’t just have a role to play in helping retirees to live happier, healthier lives, but also in supporting and positively integrating into the communities in which we build. Therefore, we’re thrilled to be honouring one of Daybrook’s historic buildings through the naming of our new retirement community.”

Each of the one and two-bedroom retirement apartments will be exclusively available through a Shared Ownership scheme in conjunction with Homes England, which reduces the upfront cost of a retirement property by providing a choice of home ownerships up to 75%.  

Virtual tours are available via the McCarthy Stone website, allowing prospective buyers to take a closer look at the stylish interiors and the little details unique to the McCarthy Stone lifestyle.

Police advice to help Gedling borough residents have crime-free Christmas

Emily Sanchez
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Police advice to help Gedling borough residents have crime-free Christmas

Police have issued advice to help ensure people across Gedling borough have a crime-free Christmas as the festive season fast approaches.

PCSO Allan Cooke from Gedling’s Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “We’re working hard over Christmas to keep you and your family safe, but there are steps you can take to help us.”

The local police team issued the following advice to help avoid the Grinch from stealing your Christmas.

Christmas shopping

Police said people should stay alert and ‘be aware of what’s going on around you’.

They said: “Keep valuables in inside pockets of clothing or bags. Only carry the cash and cards that you need. Always shield the PIN pad when entering your PIN.

When parking they advised you should leave your car in an open, well-lit area and that people should avoid going back to their car to leave your shopping part-way through your trip.

The policing team advised: “If you have to keep presents in the car, make sure they are out of view in the boot, the car is locked, and keep the receipts with you.

To deter pickpockets and muggers, don’t overburden yourself with bags/packages.

Police warned: “Be extra careful with purses and wallets. Always carry a purse close to your body and not dangling by the straps. Put a wallet in an inside coat or front trouser pocket, likewise with your phone and keys.

Cash machines

Police said residents should alert the bank or call police if they see anything suspicious at cash machines.

The team reminded residnets to also be caustious when using the machines themselves.

“Shield the keypad when typing in your PIN at a cash machine or in a shop.Only withdraw as much as you need and avoid carrying large amounts of cash,” they said.

“Put your money and cards away – and not in your back pocket – safely before leaving the machine. Ideally pay with a debit/credit card wherever possible.”

Christmas party advice

“When you’re out for the eveningNEVER leave your things unattended.” warned the Gedling PCSO.

“Make sure someone knows where you are going and when you’ll be home

“Avoid walking home alone and never with someone you don’t know well.”

“Drink responsibly, arrange for a member of your group to be a designated driver, check your taxi driver’s ID and never get into an unlicensed taxi.”

Home

Police warned residents not to leave presents under their Christmas tree if they are visible from windows or doors.

Make sure you keep your doors and windows locked at all times.

Keys should always be kept out of sight and not left in doors or in view of windows.Make your house look occupied, use a timer switch to operate lamps as it starts to get dark, leave a radio on.Don’t open the door to anybody you don’t recognise. Not sure? Don’t open the door!After you have opened 

After you have opened your Christmas gifts…

Burglars and robbers know that many households have new and often expensive, items in their homes following the December holidays especially items such as new tech such as tablets or laptops, mobile phones, music systems, televisions, cameras and other electronic equipment.

Police said: “In many cases, residents make it easy for burglars to figure out which homes to target by putting boxes that identify their new gifts in plain view with their other rubbish. 

“Avoid becoming an easy target for post-holiday burglars/robbers by not leaving boxes for new electronics and other items outside your wheelie bin.

“Break down any boxes you are throwing out and put them in rubbish bags and place them inside the wheelie bin.

They added: “With computer equipment, you might consider keeping the boxes for safe storage, shipping or moving in the future. Would they be useful as storage boxes?
Think about keeping broken-down boxes inside in a garage or loft.”

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