Caught a would-be burglar in the act! Beefing up security?
Discussion
My wife was home from work sick and didnt answer the door when it rang. We have a camera on the door and the person ringing wasn't anybody you'd typically expect to call so she didnt answer... I dont blame her.
The chap hung around for a few mins then went off. A few minutes later she walked into the lounge to find the man had climbed down into a lightwell (we're lower ground) and was busy trying to force open a sash window so they came face to face. She shouted at him, to which he laughed - then realised he couldnt just run away, eventually climbed out and hid in the front garden. Crazily she went outside to tell him to f*&k off, and he ran off giving her a jolly SE London 'yeah yeah' when she said she'd called the police. 6 police turned up but didnt find him, although they've got some decent images of him now.
Anyway - short of buying an attack dog, which I'm not doing, is there much we can do? I put a couple of long self tappers through the sash window as we never open it anyway, just in case the window locks weren't good enough. We have a camera at the back of the house, and I'll probably get one for the front now too in addition to the one on the front door which he didnt see. All of our actual doors have multiple locks and are fairly solid, all windows have locks.
We don't have an alarm, but are hopefully moving soon so I'm not too sure about spending loads on one.
I now take the car key to work (just added it to my keyring) as the stuff I really wouldnt want stolen isnt rucksack sized, and thats all this scroat had, so someone couldnt fill the car with goodies now.
What do these guys actually steal? Laptops and ipads are all mac and lockable - is it that or are they just after anything they can grab?
The chap hung around for a few mins then went off. A few minutes later she walked into the lounge to find the man had climbed down into a lightwell (we're lower ground) and was busy trying to force open a sash window so they came face to face. She shouted at him, to which he laughed - then realised he couldnt just run away, eventually climbed out and hid in the front garden. Crazily she went outside to tell him to f*&k off, and he ran off giving her a jolly SE London 'yeah yeah' when she said she'd called the police. 6 police turned up but didnt find him, although they've got some decent images of him now.
Anyway - short of buying an attack dog, which I'm not doing, is there much we can do? I put a couple of long self tappers through the sash window as we never open it anyway, just in case the window locks weren't good enough. We have a camera at the back of the house, and I'll probably get one for the front now too in addition to the one on the front door which he didnt see. All of our actual doors have multiple locks and are fairly solid, all windows have locks.
We don't have an alarm, but are hopefully moving soon so I'm not too sure about spending loads on one.
I now take the car key to work (just added it to my keyring) as the stuff I really wouldnt want stolen isnt rucksack sized, and thats all this scroat had, so someone couldnt fill the car with goodies now.
What do these guys actually steal? Laptops and ipads are all mac and lockable - is it that or are they just after anything they can grab?
Evoquative said:
Smart water marking and stickers for the house? At least helps them get prosecuted if caught.
Good idea - I did think about that so will have another look.The garden camera is nest, and the one on the front door is ring. Both seem to do the job well, although I've ordered a wi-fi extender for the front door area as we sometime miss people at the door.
In London you'll always have someone trying your doors/windows, especially if you're ground floor.
By far the best solution is to ensure that your property looks a lot harder work and more risky than your neighbours. Security is an arms race and you do t want to be in the bottom quartile in your immediate postcode.
The people who carry out the local pilfering always work their own patches so getting known as the property that isn't worth their time compared to the low hanging fruit next door is the best route.
By far the best solution is to ensure that your property looks a lot harder work and more risky than your neighbours. Security is an arms race and you do t want to be in the bottom quartile in your immediate postcode.
The people who carry out the local pilfering always work their own patches so getting known as the property that isn't worth their time compared to the low hanging fruit next door is the best route.
This happened to a relation of mine, except she wasn't in and they stole her TV.
The sash window locks on most PVC windows can be easily broken simply by prying the window up with a long lever. Self tappers is a good start, but you really want a visible and very solid deterrent.
I didn't mess around and had security bars fitted outside on the basement windows. That makes them no entry and no exit. Always think about exit routes as well as entry points and secure those so they can't be opened from the inside.
Apart from that, security lights, CCTV cameras (even dummies are better than nothing) and good quality locks on all windows and doors will mean the scrotes will walk past your place in search of an easier target.
A high dB panic alarm would also be worth it in case the same thing happens again. Much better than confronting them.
The sash window locks on most PVC windows can be easily broken simply by prying the window up with a long lever. Self tappers is a good start, but you really want a visible and very solid deterrent.
I didn't mess around and had security bars fitted outside on the basement windows. That makes them no entry and no exit. Always think about exit routes as well as entry points and secure those so they can't be opened from the inside.
Apart from that, security lights, CCTV cameras (even dummies are better than nothing) and good quality locks on all windows and doors will mean the scrotes will walk past your place in search of an easier target.
A high dB panic alarm would also be worth it in case the same thing happens again. Much better than confronting them.
FurtiveFreddy said:
I didn't mess around and had security bars fitted outside on the basement windows. That makes them no entry and no exit. Always think about exit routes as well as entry points and secure those so they can't be opened from the inside.
Just be careful you're not blocking off an escape route in the event of a fire.Sadly mantraps are illegal, otherwise I'd suggest a nail studded board at the bottom of the light well with a sheet of polystyrene or foam pushed onto the top then painted to match the light well base. They'd get the point when they landed on it.
A more friendly option would use a pressure pad linked to a high dB siren.
Otherwise it's the usual locks, reinforcements or bars. Bars are the most guaranteed to work though as noted limit your exit options too.
A more friendly option would use a pressure pad linked to a high dB siren.
Otherwise it's the usual locks, reinforcements or bars. Bars are the most guaranteed to work though as noted limit your exit options too.
TroubledSoul said:
Spare tyre said:
Print a picture of him and stick it in the window / door
If he comes back it will spook him
I don't know why but this just made me laugh out loud at my desk If he comes back it will spook him
I am surprised the police don't already know who it is if you have his picture. He is likely to be known.
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