Been burgled - what next?
Discussion
So, we had someone smash our back door in (no jokes, please) and gain entry to our house. The alarm went off and I was called by our neighbour. After rushing home from work the police eventually turned up and forensics didn't really reveal much. Doesn't appear like too much has been taken, but I am certainly a bit shaken up, not a nice feeling knowing someone has broken in to your house.
Our area is fairly nice and we have never heard of any burglaries in the 12 years we have lived here.
Anyway, I was just wondering what we should do next. No keys are missing, but is it possible the burglar would've gotten a mould of one of the keys? Or perhaps sprayed some sort of wax onto the alarm unit to find out which buttons are frequently pressed? How far do we go? Change all window and door locks?
And in terms of enhanced security I am naturally over reacting and looking at all sorts of monitored alarm units and CCTV systems. Would anyone recommend a company we use to install CCTV? ADT do monitored alarm systems but I could've find anything on their site about CCTV for residential homes.
Our area is fairly nice and we have never heard of any burglaries in the 12 years we have lived here.
Anyway, I was just wondering what we should do next. No keys are missing, but is it possible the burglar would've gotten a mould of one of the keys? Or perhaps sprayed some sort of wax onto the alarm unit to find out which buttons are frequently pressed? How far do we go? Change all window and door locks?
And in terms of enhanced security I am naturally over reacting and looking at all sorts of monitored alarm units and CCTV systems. Would anyone recommend a company we use to install CCTV? ADT do monitored alarm systems but I could've find anything on their site about CCTV for residential homes.
Not wishing to be the bringer of more doom, but I suffered from attempted (and successful) break-ins a lot until I got CCTV.
They were clearly after the cars / bikes, as one unfortunately sits on the drive, as I can't get the Ok for a quadruple garage. The police were more than useless too, with thir "best" advice being to sell the car and buy something less attractive to thieves.
Just having the discreet CCTV cameras up, along with some good motion sensors does seem to scare them off, as I've not had a bit of bother since.
I just got a local firm to fit the kit and haven't bothered with the linked to a Call Centre bit.
They were clearly after the cars / bikes, as one unfortunately sits on the drive, as I can't get the Ok for a quadruple garage. The police were more than useless too, with thir "best" advice being to sell the car and buy something less attractive to thieves.
Just having the discreet CCTV cameras up, along with some good motion sensors does seem to scare them off, as I've not had a bit of bother since.
I just got a local firm to fit the kit and haven't bothered with the linked to a Call Centre bit.
Unfortunately the odds on being burgled a second time drop like a stone if you have been burgled once.
If you have taken precautions like not leaving ladders out, windows open and keys and bags on view you are less likely to be targeted, breaking a door down to my mind would make me think they thought the noise was worth it so may have been looking for car keys etc.
Things like CCTV and looking at thorny bushes etc for your garden can make it too much hassle for them as can sturdy doors, a monitored alarm system could be a good idea.
I was burgled last year and they took my sons drugs and his xbox etc, robbing off a disabled child, nice.
I moved house.
If you have taken precautions like not leaving ladders out, windows open and keys and bags on view you are less likely to be targeted, breaking a door down to my mind would make me think they thought the noise was worth it so may have been looking for car keys etc.
Things like CCTV and looking at thorny bushes etc for your garden can make it too much hassle for them as can sturdy doors, a monitored alarm system could be a good idea.
I was burgled last year and they took my sons drugs and his xbox etc, robbing off a disabled child, nice.
I moved house.
Change the code on your alarm if you're worried about them having worked it out. For peace of mind you can get a communicator which will call/text you on your mobile if the alarm is triggered.
A cctv system simple or otherwise which sends a photo to your smart phone if it detects movement in the garden is very reassuring.
A cctv system simple or otherwise which sends a photo to your smart phone if it detects movement in the garden is very reassuring.
unless you live in something approaching a mansion, you're over reacting re: the keys & alarm. barry burglar isn't so sophisticated.
your local bill will likely offer a security appraisal. take advantage & upgrade where neccesary. also check anything security related tha you haven't installed yourself. when I moved in, my house had a security grilled on the back door that was a serious bit of kit. I took it as read that it wouldl be properly fitted, but still got cleaned out about a month later. turned out it was only secured with 1.5" woodscrews & rawlplugs which snapped easily with a crowbar applied.
your local bill will likely offer a security appraisal. take advantage & upgrade where neccesary. also check anything security related tha you haven't installed yourself. when I moved in, my house had a security grilled on the back door that was a serious bit of kit. I took it as read that it wouldl be properly fitted, but still got cleaned out about a month later. turned out it was only secured with 1.5" woodscrews & rawlplugs which snapped easily with a crowbar applied.
Exactly the same happened to us a few months ago. In fact we only just got the cash from the insurance co.
The Police were very good, although the forensics team were very delayed getting around to us due to a nasty rape in the town they had to concentrate on. Scrotes couldn't get the door open so they smashed the window and climbed through; left their finger prints all over the inside of the door frame as a consequence. Don't think they have been caught yet though.
Thing is, the Police told us that your typical scrote is in and out in no more than 3 to 5 mins. They grab what they can see and make off. Our lot missed iPods and camers that the family had left on view, but took laptops Wii and Nintendos, and bizzarrely a whole load of cheap dress jewelery from Claires!
We fitted a burgler alarm, hard wired and with a link to the Police, supplied and fitted by a local firm for about £800 + about 170 per year service charge. Unlike the main players, the system belongs to us and anyone who buys the house just has to keep up the service charge. Other firms I could name, rent you the alarm and take it back when you move, Oh dear, Mr and Mrs New owner, it looks like you will have to buy our system all over again.
I also got a (free) program for my office computer that recognises movement in the office, takes photos or video, and emails it straight to my HTC Desire,
where I can see the cat walking around the office.
Good luck getting it sorted and don't let it get you down.
The Police were very good, although the forensics team were very delayed getting around to us due to a nasty rape in the town they had to concentrate on. Scrotes couldn't get the door open so they smashed the window and climbed through; left their finger prints all over the inside of the door frame as a consequence. Don't think they have been caught yet though.
Thing is, the Police told us that your typical scrote is in and out in no more than 3 to 5 mins. They grab what they can see and make off. Our lot missed iPods and camers that the family had left on view, but took laptops Wii and Nintendos, and bizzarrely a whole load of cheap dress jewelery from Claires!
We fitted a burgler alarm, hard wired and with a link to the Police, supplied and fitted by a local firm for about £800 + about 170 per year service charge. Unlike the main players, the system belongs to us and anyone who buys the house just has to keep up the service charge. Other firms I could name, rent you the alarm and take it back when you move, Oh dear, Mr and Mrs New owner, it looks like you will have to buy our system all over again.
I also got a (free) program for my office computer that recognises movement in the office, takes photos or video, and emails it straight to my HTC Desire,
where I can see the cat walking around the office.
Good luck getting it sorted and don't let it get you down.
Sheets Tabuer said:
Unfortunately the odds on being burgled a second time drop like a stone if you have been burgled once.
Don't you mean fortunately?I thought the idea the crims had was burgle a property, wait until the insurance company pay out and the owner replaces the things taken, then steal the new suff.
Unless you up the security
in addition to my post, it's a total pita if forensics actually do find anything if all you're after is a swift resolution with the insurers.
i had everything of value taken as it was still boxed up from the move. only personal effects were left and i had a £1k bill for a new back door. the fingerprints and my statement to the police (taken so they don't have to call you at silly am if they collar the scrote) provoked such interest from my insurer that it took them 9mths to settle up. 9mths without anything vaguely approaching entertainment takes the shine off a new house!
on the plus side, the police were excellent throughout.
i had everything of value taken as it was still boxed up from the move. only personal effects were left and i had a £1k bill for a new back door. the fingerprints and my statement to the police (taken so they don't have to call you at silly am if they collar the scrote) provoked such interest from my insurer that it took them 9mths to settle up. 9mths without anything vaguely approaching entertainment takes the shine off a new house!
on the plus side, the police were excellent throughout.
Cotty said:
Sheets Tabuer said:
Unfortunately the odds on being burgled a second time drop like a stone if you have been burgled once.
Don't you mean fortunately?I thought the idea the crims had was burgle a property, wait until the insurance company pay out and the owner replaces the things taken, then steal the new suff.
Unless you up the security
Yes, you are more likely to be burgled again if you have been burgled before.
Expect to be burgled again. If they stole nice items like laptops .plasmas etc they will expect it all to be replaced soon. They know the place and will take another look.
COVERT CCTV inside with sound is a great idea. Nice real Dome CCTV outside with the correct sign to make legal etc
Lay a trap.... we did once years ago and it soon became obvious in the town who was stealing.
COVERT CCTV inside with sound is a great idea. Nice real Dome CCTV outside with the correct sign to make legal etc
Lay a trap.... we did once years ago and it soon became obvious in the town who was stealing.
GTIR said:
Chances of the burglar chap coming back are zero, even if he's a junkie div he will know to move on.
Put it down to experience and move on.
Actually, no. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. Offenders tend to like familiar locations.Put it down to experience and move on.
The biggist risk is around 1 month after the previous burglary. If the first burglary was fruitful, some offenders will come back in case you've replaced everything on insurance. Your immediate neighbours will also be at increased risk for a while. Now is the time to invest in improved security.
As to taking moulds of your keys, or doing fancy stuff with your alarm keypad, this is a bit too sophisticated for your average burglar.
RobDickinson said:
GTIR said:
Chances of the burglar chap coming back are zero, even if he's a junkie div he will know to move on.
Put it down to experience and move on.
<-- this, had something similar happen (armed break in for car keys 2am), not much you can do, alarms, cctv, all worthless realy.Put it down to experience and move on.
It sounds as though the alarm did its job in terms of deterring them from lingering, if not entering.
Tempting as it is to turn the house into Fort Knox, visible CCTV etc in my opinion signals that you think you've got something worth stealing.
I'd reinforce the back door and restrict access to the rear of the property. Fit motion-activated floodlighting to cover any dark corners.
Tempting as it is to turn the house into Fort Knox, visible CCTV etc in my opinion signals that you think you've got something worth stealing.
I'd reinforce the back door and restrict access to the rear of the property. Fit motion-activated floodlighting to cover any dark corners.
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