Home Security - our neighbour was broken into
Discussion
OK so I'm quite security conscious. However our next door neighbour had a break in during the week, so I want to improve things further. Like most people we're out at work all day so it's limited what I can do in that regard. Apparently the burglars have stepped it up now we're near Christmas, the b
ds.
my doors:
Plus points of my security:
I know cctv is only any good to catch someone after the event, and to be honest I want to prevent losing my stuff in the first place. However I would enjoy using cctv (from a geeky point of view) so I may get this anyway.
Our neighbour - they have similar doors to us. What concerns me is they smashed the entire glass panel in one of the doors, then punched the centre section out to put their hand through and unlock the lock to open the door. I know people will mention my thumbturn locks but they would have simply kicked the rest of the glass out if they hadn't been able to unlock the door, so I don't see this as much of an issue. It's more concerning that the smashed the entire glass door. In that situation it's only my burglar alarm that is any use? - the anti-pick cylinders etc don't matter a damn!
This is the cctv thread I enjoyed reading - I may go for hikvision stuff: cctv thread. I've read the advice on the linked sites regarding security. Growing thorny whatevers in the back garden is not a likely thing we will do, plus too long-term.
Any thoughts?
ds.my doors:
Plus points of my security:
- I have upvc french doors at the back, (see pic) and I have already changed the eurocylinders for anti-pick / snap versions some time ago.
- I have a burglar alarm system (it rings out to our phones too, to alert us)
- I padlock the gate that leads to the back garden (so burglar could only climb over, or kick it down)
- I lock my workshop doors
- timer which switches on internal lights at 4pm-ish
- I have a back-up disk of our computer kept off-site so we won't lose all our pictures!
- I have all serial numbers + pics of our stuff recorded on immobilise.com (recommend this if you haven't looked at it)
- front door is quite secure (deadlocked + visible from the street so unlikely to be attacked)
- Solid aluminium Hoppe Pas 24 upvc handles hoppe handles
- thinking about cctv system.
- Until I get metal handles I have taken to using this cable around the handles to make it more difficult to get in while we're at work.
I know cctv is only any good to catch someone after the event, and to be honest I want to prevent losing my stuff in the first place. However I would enjoy using cctv (from a geeky point of view) so I may get this anyway.
Our neighbour - they have similar doors to us. What concerns me is they smashed the entire glass panel in one of the doors, then punched the centre section out to put their hand through and unlock the lock to open the door. I know people will mention my thumbturn locks but they would have simply kicked the rest of the glass out if they hadn't been able to unlock the door, so I don't see this as much of an issue. It's more concerning that the smashed the entire glass door. In that situation it's only my burglar alarm that is any use? - the anti-pick cylinders etc don't matter a damn!
This is the cctv thread I enjoyed reading - I may go for hikvision stuff: cctv thread. I've read the advice on the linked sites regarding security. Growing thorny whatevers in the back garden is not a likely thing we will do, plus too long-term.
Any thoughts?
Muncher said:
What's the lighting like around the house? How visible is it to neighbours? Are there any things in the garden that would provide cover to an intruder? How easy are the fences to climb? Do you have gravel? Burglars hate it because it's so noisey.
You can make your house very unattractive to thieves by making it difficult to even approach it without being seen or heard.
I have a back garden security light, but the neighbours were attacked in the afternoon (still light) - when it is dark we're generally in so it's the daytime that is a problem.You can make your house very unattractive to thieves by making it difficult to even approach it without being seen or heard.
We have a shared driveay between our houses, with gates to our back gardens at the end. This is bad apparently - as once the theif ducks down between the houses they are out of site. Then they leg it over the gate. I could extend the height with trellis as recommended by some, or even just build the fence and gate from scratch taller (ie 2 meters).
it has a shared drive a bit like this: (not mine in this actual pic)
reading this it looks like metal gates are best solution to make it obvious from the street when a burglar is climbing over.
http://thecrimepreventionwebsite.com/common-access...
Yazar said:
Op- out of curiosity, how many burglaries does it show around your area in the last month/last december on http://www.police.uk
114 on our road!!
Edited by CoolHands on Sunday 14th December 23:40
Yazar said:
OP hasn't been robbed though, is a psychological thing.
A pro would target a specific place in a very wealthy area, op's neighbours were probably robbed by a typical scrote/druggie so a little effort to make it difficult should be enough.
I think that's true - their gate didn't shut properly so it was sort-of ajar. And they only nicked a few laptops and searched the place. Mind you they don't have much in the way of tech - we're a bit more into our gadgets.A pro would target a specific place in a very wealthy area, op's neighbours were probably robbed by a typical scrote/druggie so a little effort to make it difficult should be enough.
I had a look at the crime stats and it's fairly consistent (between 6-12) most months in the general area, so our road doesn't particularly stand out upon closer examination. Well, not much
it does look a little more frequented than some roads.Well I decided I didn't want to be someone who wished afterwards I had done something, so after work I went and bought some expanding bamboo trellis, (£32 for two pieces from B&Q, 1.8m x 0.9m each) and fitted it earlier. I wanted something that would put them off climbing over and the general advice seems to be use something that does not support their weight and is at risk of breaking (this puts them off).
It was actually quite difficult to fit and took a while to work out what to do - various bits of metal I had etc were no use. In the end the best solution was to trap it between the original fence panel and a piece of featherboard cut to length. As you do the screws up it tightens the board trapping the bamboo and is actually quite effective. You can loosen the screws off to adjust the bamboo until you get it straight. I will tidy it up and improve it another time, (re the visual look from the garden) but initially I just want to get it up so this will do for now. I wanted it to look ok from the neighbours point of view.
Obviously it will be easy to break (snap) but it does make a difference - it makes the structure very tall when you're stood in the drive now, so it is a bit off-putting if you were a burglar. It is fairly sturdy though, and I can still use the gate. But at the same time doesn't look like the Berlin wall.
pic showing how I trapped it to hold it in place:
It was actually quite difficult to fit and took a while to work out what to do - various bits of metal I had etc were no use. In the end the best solution was to trap it between the original fence panel and a piece of featherboard cut to length. As you do the screws up it tightens the board trapping the bamboo and is actually quite effective. You can loosen the screws off to adjust the bamboo until you get it straight. I will tidy it up and improve it another time, (re the visual look from the garden) but initially I just want to get it up so this will do for now. I wanted it to look ok from the neighbours point of view.
Obviously it will be easy to break (snap) but it does make a difference - it makes the structure very tall when you're stood in the drive now, so it is a bit off-putting if you were a burglar. It is fairly sturdy though, and I can still use the gate. But at the same time doesn't look like the Berlin wall.
pic showing how I trapped it to hold it in place:
Edited by CoolHands on Monday 15th December 20:06
well I got the flimsy handles changed now for 'secured by design' hoppe high security handles. So along with the anti-snap locks that area is sorted. The only real way in now is to smash the entire window as they did to my neighbour. To that end I've looked into replacement panes.
The best solution for me is laminated outer pane, with toughend inner pane. The laminated means its very hard to break, and although I could get both inner and outer laminated, it is much heavier than my existing frame is designed for. So a compromise is laminated outer only. My frames have only 3 hinges - if you 4 you'd be ok for laminated inner and outer probably. Prices for glazing vary a lot . Basically most glaziers will rip you off. But I have found I can get them made for approx £200 (total) whereas a local place that makes them I tried wanted £470. Which is annoying as if I choose the cheaper one I will need to collect them from 70 miles away. Or I could try shiply to see how much someone will deliver them for me.
The best solution for me is laminated outer pane, with toughend inner pane. The laminated means its very hard to break, and although I could get both inner and outer laminated, it is much heavier than my existing frame is designed for. So a compromise is laminated outer only. My frames have only 3 hinges - if you 4 you'd be ok for laminated inner and outer probably. Prices for glazing vary a lot . Basically most glaziers will rip you off. But I have found I can get them made for approx £200 (total) whereas a local place that makes them I tried wanted £470. Which is annoying as if I choose the cheaper one I will need to collect them from 70 miles away. Or I could try shiply to see how much someone will deliver them for me.
cheers.
the more expensive place also 'make' them in house. ie it's a railway-arches place that make all windows & frames up etc on site. They are a well-established firm so I suspect their raw material prices are as low as anyone else. But their profit margin is higher
We all know making this stuff isn't rocket science. I will travel to a few other industrial estates round here to see if someone else can match the good price.
the more expensive place also 'make' them in house. ie it's a railway-arches place that make all windows & frames up etc on site. They are a well-established firm so I suspect their raw material prices are as low as anyone else. But their profit margin is higher
We all know making this stuff isn't rocket science. I will travel to a few other industrial estates round here to see if someone else can match the good price.unfortunately the garage (and cladding!) actually belong to the neighbour so I can't improve the look or anything. I only have shared driveway plus gate access.
re the ladders yeah that was while we were having the extension done, they are locked away now. However its easy to get on the flat roof regardless, to be honest.
re the ladders yeah that was while we were having the extension done, they are locked away now. However its easy to get on the flat roof regardless, to be honest.
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