Mr Garnham said that in many cases, finding a local police station that was closed was more frustrating than having to contact a more distant station where a response would be assured.

BBC: Nine Gloucestershire police stations due to close

Somewhere on the property or at a distant station, a bell rang--plenty of time for you still to grab some goodies, raid the fridge, use the bathroom and be on your way before the rent-a-cops arrived.

FORBES: Burglar Beware