VICTORIA Police have created an online hyperlink absence form aimed to help prevent families away on holidays from falling victim to home robberies.

The Western Region Division Two Community Engagement Unit (CEU) have urged residents in south-west Victoria who are planning to take holidays to use the form to enhance community safety over the summer, as part of their promotion of a burglary prevention strategy to assist residents in protecting their properties.

The hyper link enables residents to submit an online form to their local police station, advising that they will be on holidays and absent from their residence during stated times.

Police can then include their address on local patrol tasking, which assists to reduce the risk of becoming a victim of burglary whilst they are absent.

When registering an absence with police, certain information will need to be provided such as your contact information, the dates and times you are away and your best contact while you are away.

Residents who register their absence must notify police if they return from their holiday earlier than planned.

Some basic tips for people planning to leave their properties unattended whilst going on holiday are making the house look like someone is home, locking all doors and windows, improving home security with cameras and securing valuables by keeping them in a safe place.

The hyper link form and preventing burglaries fact sheets are available from the Victoria Police website at police.vic.gov.au.