Mother who woke up to find a tin of kidney beans dumped on her doorstep issues warning after police relative reveals it’s a clever trick used by burglars to check if people are home

• Maria Celino-Straker, of North Tyneside, woke up and found the mess on Monday
• Thought it was a silly prank but relative who is ex-police said it’s more sinister
• Is a tactic by potential burglars wanting to scope out if people are on holiday

A mother has issued a warning after being targeted by a clever burglary trick involving kidney beans.

Maria Celino-Straker, of North Tyneside, woke up yesterday morning to find a disgusting mess of kidney beans on her doorstep.

At first she thought she’d just been the victim of a silly prank, but after speaking to a relative who is an ex-police officer, she discovered the mess was a sign of something more sinister.

She now believes the kidney beans were used as a tactic by potential burglars wanting to scope out whether or not people were at home.

Maria Celino-Straker, of North Tyneside, woke up yesterday morning to find a disgusting mess of kidney beans on her doorstep

Writing on Facebook, Maria explained: ‘Well I woke up to this left on our doorstep this morning.

‘Apparently this is a known trick of burglars. If not cleaned up in a couple of days they know you are not home and in they go.

‘Thankfully I’m home and cleaned this up, whoever it was done this about 1am this morning. Look out for your neighbours especially those who are on holiday.’

Her post has since been shared more than 2,700 times. Maria claimed she was told by her relative that the trick is a well-known method used by burglars across the country.

At first she thought she’d just been the victim of a silly prank, but after speaking to a relative who is an ex-police officer, she discovered the mess was a sign of something more sinister

Maria’s post has since been shared more than 2,700 times. She claimed she was told by her relative that the trick is a well-known method used by burglars across the country

‘It’s not just beans. They use anything that you would have to clean up and that is not going to wash away with a bit of rain,’ she added.

The mother added that since learning about the trick, she has been keeping regular tabs on her elderly neighbours and ensuring all her doors are locked.

She wants to raise awareness so that other residents can look out for their elderly neighbours, or those currently away.

Maria said: ‘I posted about it because I wanted to warn people and get them to look out for each other. If it helps one person it was worth it.’ 

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