The autumn days may be some people’s favourite time of year because of the orange colours, while there are those who love the winter snows and the chance to go skiing. The nights will be popular too because of events like Halloween, Bonfire Night and Christmas. But for all that, the people who like the dark months of the year the most are burglars.

All that darkness gives crooks a lot of opportunities. They can hide unseen more easily, take advantage of the lack of people outdoors on a cold night to avoid detection, and also enjoy some rich pickings as Christmas approaches, especially if they can get to your tree and there are loads of parcels beneath.

For this reason, you need to think carefully about your winter home security, especially if you have been burgled before, or if there have been a lot of break-ins in your neighbourhood. Installing gates to your driveway can be part of the solution.

Of course, your gate does not have to be very high and covered in spikes as if you were defending the home of a VIP, but it does mean that if this is closed, anyone needing to get past must either be able to open it – which secured gates requiring an entry code can prevent – or draw attention to themselves while still on the street by climbing over.

Such an obstacle can also send the signal to any would-be burglar that you have other security apparatus in place (whether or not that is the case). It can, of course, be linked to a movement sensor, so that anytime anyone opens it (or climbs over it) a security light will come on.

Depending on their construction, gates can also act as a visual barrier limiting the view of the property beyond, which can make it harder for those prospecting for burglars, while also restricting the view of outdoor items that might get stolen.

The latter consideration is something that could prove useful in summer when thieves will often turn their attention to items like gardening equipment that may be left out overnight, although ideally, you should lock these away somewhere secure at the end of the day.

Of course, keeping your home secure against break-ins is not just about having gates. You need a robust hedge or fence around the rest of the perimeter of the property to be secure as well, while you can take a lot of other steps to maximise security.

These include having a burglar alarm, making sure you don’t put presents under the Christmas tree until the last minute, ensuring windows are closed, having a gravelly patch someone must walk across to reach the door, plus the practical step of not publicising on social media when you will be away at Christmas parties – or for December 25th itself.

It is through a combination of measures that you can make life hard for those who would rob your home. However, having sturdy gates in place provides both a physical and psychological barrier that will make many of them conclude that they are best off trying their luck elsewhere.