Contractors working in the gardens of a house in Cumberland Road, Plaistow, spotted a man sitting on the living room sofa inside.

They assumed he was the home-owner and carried on working – but it was a thief.

Sometime later on Thursday, August 23, the workmen left, but when the owner of the house, a 36-year-old man, turned up at 5pm he noticed that his Dell laptop was missing.

Crime Prevention Design Advisor Pc Andy Whitfield said: Most burglaries tend to be opportunistic rather than planned. Always lock your doors and windows when leaving your property unoccupied, even if it is only for a few minutes.

“If your home does not look secure, seems unlived in, or provides unobserved access, it could be at risk. Understanding what burglars look for when choosing their target will help you identify weak spots in security.