What you don't see can't hurt you - burglars.
Discussion
I've always vaguely been aware that burglars exist, and we even had an attempted break in at our old house 6 or so years ago. But it really brings it home to you when you catch someone peering in through your back door at 5am 
We have decent locks and an alarm, and don't leave valuables in plain view, but are there any other things we should be considering?
We're moving in a month, and I have to say I've found another reason to be glad.
(The BiB turned up mob handed within minutes
)
We have decent locks and an alarm, and don't leave valuables in plain view, but are there any other things we should be considering?
We're moving in a month, and I have to say I've found another reason to be glad.
(The BiB turned up mob handed within minutes
)High walls/fences at the side and rear and locked gates to keep them out of your garden. Low hedge/wall at the front to make any intruder more visible from the road - high walls just hide them from passers by and neighbours. Gravel driveway to make a racket if anyone walks up there. Avoid UPVC doors - they're very easy to pop. Security lights.
Personally I think far and away the most effective form of home security is a curtain twitcher neighbour that you're on good terms with.
Personally I think far and away the most effective form of home security is a curtain twitcher neighbour that you're on good terms with.
all good advice above. My neighbour is also useful in that he goes out and leaves a small window open. Handy, as we have afort Knox approach.
Remember that if they really wanted to, they would break in, so you are after making your house seem like the lease desirable target in the immediate vicinity. They'll take one look at a house with closed windows, locks, alarm etc and forget it
Remember that if they really wanted to, they would break in, so you are after making your house seem like the lease desirable target in the immediate vicinity. They'll take one look at a house with closed windows, locks, alarm etc and forget it
williamp said:
Remember that if they really wanted to, they would break in, so you are after making your house seem like the lease desirable target in the immediate vicinity. They'll take one look at a house with closed windows, locks, alarm etc and forget it
That's the approach we've taken, and it's obvious from the outside, so it was a bit disconcerting seeing someone at the window.A dog is on the cards.
williamp said:
all good advice above. My neighbour is also useful in that he goes out and leaves a small window open. Handy, as we have afort Knox approach.
Remember that if they really wanted to, they would break in, so you are after making your house seem like the lease desirable target in the immediate vicinity. They'll take one look at a house with closed windows, locks, alarm etc and forget it
agreed.Remember that if they really wanted to, they would break in, so you are after making your house seem like the lease desirable target in the immediate vicinity. They'll take one look at a house with closed windows, locks, alarm etc and forget it
you house just has to be that much more difficult to get into than your neigbours.
remember that most burglers aren't going for every house, or even targetting specific houses, they are just looking for easy ways in, and a hassle free night!
tenohfive said:
Avoid UPVC doors - they're very easy to pop.
Eh? Have you seen how much trouble the BIB have bashing these type of doors down with the huge battering ram on things like Road Wars and Brit Cops?The upvc just keeps on bouncing. I've seen it take two coppers 20 or 30 seconds to get a UPVC door in.
And I would think if there's a quicker way to get in or 'pop' the door for a drugs raid, the Police would know by now
We've got a neighbour who shouts about how much money he has, in the pub etc etc.
He's been done over with hammers in the comfort of his own home twice now. Despite it not being the largest house on the road and not having the nicest cars outside and it's actually the middle house in the road.
He's been done over with hammers in the comfort of his own home twice now. Despite it not being the largest house on the road and not having the nicest cars outside and it's actually the middle house in the road.
A fence or wall only stops those who don't really want to get in. Indeed, if a pro wants to break in there is very little you can do to stop them.
For the 'average' house the most productive thing is to move it to a location where the stats for burglaries are low. Next best is somewhere where people are around during the day.
Dogs are great, especially yappy ones. Many burglars seem to be a wary of them. However, their best use is as a method of waking you is someone is trying to break in. A light coming on upstairs normally puts them off.
Alarms are great but only if they are central station. Some will brazen out an audible one depending on the area. Become friendly with neighbours so when you house is unoccupied there is always someone being nosy.
Challenge people. If you are a bit nervous just look through the curtains and stare at them. If you see an unusual van and make a note of the number.
Join your local neighbourhood watch. Most are not worth the effort but if one or two residents put a bit of effort in it can change things dramatically.
Most burglaries have local perpetuators. They are the laziest and stupidest of offenders. If you make things difficult for them in your street they will soon find out and go somewhere else.
Find out where your local Sunday low-rent boot fair is so that if you do suffer a break-in you stand a chance at getting your property back, although you might still have to pay for it.
If there have been a few break-ins in your area then challenge the local police as to what they are doing about it. Do not take 'We have been busy' for an answer. Chase them.
For the 'average' house the most productive thing is to move it to a location where the stats for burglaries are low. Next best is somewhere where people are around during the day.
Dogs are great, especially yappy ones. Many burglars seem to be a wary of them. However, their best use is as a method of waking you is someone is trying to break in. A light coming on upstairs normally puts them off.
Alarms are great but only if they are central station. Some will brazen out an audible one depending on the area. Become friendly with neighbours so when you house is unoccupied there is always someone being nosy.
Challenge people. If you are a bit nervous just look through the curtains and stare at them. If you see an unusual van and make a note of the number.
Join your local neighbourhood watch. Most are not worth the effort but if one or two residents put a bit of effort in it can change things dramatically.
Most burglaries have local perpetuators. They are the laziest and stupidest of offenders. If you make things difficult for them in your street they will soon find out and go somewhere else.
Find out where your local Sunday low-rent boot fair is so that if you do suffer a break-in you stand a chance at getting your property back, although you might still have to pay for it.
If there have been a few break-ins in your area then challenge the local police as to what they are doing about it. Do not take 'We have been busy' for an answer. Chase them.
Ray Luxury-Yacht said:
Eh? Have you seen how much trouble the BIB have bashing these type of doors down with the huge battering ram on things like Road Wars and Brit Cops?
The upvc just keeps on bouncing. I've seen it take two coppers 20 or 30 seconds to get a UPVC door in.
And I would think if there's a quicker way to get in or 'pop' the door for a drugs raid, the Police would know by now
There is a knack to it, and (having had the same problem you describe above putting in a UPVC during my last shift) I admit that I haven't got it, and haven't been shown how it's done. I'm sure a few officers must know but it's not mentioned on the MOE (method of entry) training we do.The upvc just keeps on bouncing. I've seen it take two coppers 20 or 30 seconds to get a UPVC door in.
And I would think if there's a quicker way to get in or 'pop' the door for a drugs raid, the Police would know by now
The local scrotes on my patch do have the knack, and popping a UPVC door is the most common method of entry I've seen for the burglaries I've dealt with. It's not the same approach as hitting a door with a bosher - they use a jemmy and I gather that the plastic flexes and allows to lock to just pop.
A solid door with a multipoint locking system is the way ahead in either case - it won't flex, and it'll take more than a good kicking to put it in.
tenohfive said:
A solid door with a multipoint locking system is the way ahead in either case - it won't flex, and it'll take more than a good kicking to put it in.
Our UPVC doors have that, a lock top and bottom and the normal lock in the middle.. Surely that'd put up a pretty decent fight?Thing I'm most worried about is the MX5 out the front, its not very secure at the best of times. Always have my window open and if I hear the slightest thing am up at the window checking
Some good advice here.
We also have (on top of metal framed wooden sandwich doors - these do not flex and are 45 minute fire rated as well, an alarm, two dogs, one yappy and one with a more aggressive timbre to the bark) a metal shutter system that comes down at night over the rear door, the only place that really needs it as no ground floor windows open.
It is built into the walls and designed to flex but not break (easily). No doubt an industrious Frenchman would find a way past it, but the noise adn security lights would probably see them on their toes over the fields.
I tried to force it open to see how effective it would be and couldn't shift it.
We also have (on top of metal framed wooden sandwich doors - these do not flex and are 45 minute fire rated as well, an alarm, two dogs, one yappy and one with a more aggressive timbre to the bark) a metal shutter system that comes down at night over the rear door, the only place that really needs it as no ground floor windows open.
It is built into the walls and designed to flex but not break (easily). No doubt an industrious Frenchman would find a way past it, but the noise adn security lights would probably see them on their toes over the fields.
I tried to force it open to see how effective it would be and couldn't shift it.
davemac250 said:
Some good advice here.
We also have (on top of metal framed wooden sandwich doors - these do not flex and are 45 minute fire rated as well, an alarm, two dogs, one yappy and one with a more aggressive timbre to the bark) a metal shutter system that comes down at night over the rear door, the only place that really needs it as no ground floor windows open.
It is built into the walls and designed to flex but not break (easily). No doubt an industrious Frenchman would find a way past it, but the noise adn security lights would probably see them on their toes over the fields.
I tried to force it open to see how effective it would be and couldn't shift it.
Bloody hell where do youliveWe also have (on top of metal framed wooden sandwich doors - these do not flex and are 45 minute fire rated as well, an alarm, two dogs, one yappy and one with a more aggressive timbre to the bark) a metal shutter system that comes down at night over the rear door, the only place that really needs it as no ground floor windows open.
It is built into the walls and designed to flex but not break (easily). No doubt an industrious Frenchman would find a way past it, but the noise adn security lights would probably see them on their toes over the fields.
I tried to force it open to see how effective it would be and couldn't shift it.
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