Turning a house into a fortress
Discussion
Camoradi said:
Our neighbours were burgled a couple of years back, in a small spate of 3 or 4 burglaries in our road over the course of 10 days. Police crime prevention visited every house in the street, and the advice we had was.
1) Don't leave the house completely unlit at night.
2) If possible have a car parked on the drive. When on holiday encourage neighbours to park on your driveway.
3) Dog ownership. One of the most significant factors. Dogs are unpredictable and most casual burglars would rather just move onto to another house.
4) Fit a burglar alarm, and USE it
If you have all four of the above then your chances of being burgled (in our area at least) are very low.
Good advice, although in our area we're experiencing a rash of burglaries where people are breaking in to steal the dog. 1) Don't leave the house completely unlit at night.
2) If possible have a car parked on the drive. When on holiday encourage neighbours to park on your driveway.
3) Dog ownership. One of the most significant factors. Dogs are unpredictable and most casual burglars would rather just move onto to another house.
4) Fit a burglar alarm, and USE it
If you have all four of the above then your chances of being burgled (in our area at least) are very low.
cbmotorsport said:
The more obviously secure your house, the more it looks like you're really trying to protect something. I'm not saying don't secure your house, but if yours is the only house in the neighbourhood with steel shutters on your doors and windows, there's a fair chance someone will smash a transit van through the wall, to find out what you're protecting.
I'm not sure that's true, unless you live in a complete s
t-hole. Usual advice is to make sure your house isn't the easiest to gain entry to. These low-lifes are generally after an easy job so they'll usually go somewhere else if you're overtly well-protected. CharlesdeGaulle said:
I'm not sure that's true, unless you live in a complete st-hole. Usual advice is to make sure your house isn't the easiest to gain entry to. These low-lifes are generally after an easy job so they'll usually go somewhere else if you're overtly well-protected.
Talking more about metal shutters etc, not normal sensible security measures. t-hole. Usual advice is to make sure your house isn't the easiest to gain entry to. These low-lifes are generally after an easy job so they'll usually go somewhere else if you're overtly well-protected. 
cbmotorsport said:
Good advice, although in our area we're experiencing a rash of burglaries where people are breaking in to steal the dog.
A few of those in our area too. Ransom notes were left in the house. Our neighbours lost some quite valuable jewellery, but the worst thing was the complete chaos and mess in their house. The effect on them was awful to witness. Hang On said:
V8mate said:
In Europe, metal shutters over doors and windows are commonplace, so I've actively considered this solution. It just strikes me that they are so unusual in the UK, that I'd actually be drawing attention to my property.
Blast resistant glazing would be a less obtrusive solution and is increasingly available for the domestic market. It stops the 'lump of concrete through the French door glass scenario' which is often the default mode of entry for the thief if they encounter secure locks and composite doors. I don't know the cost though. You need to change your frames as well so best done when they are ready to be swapped anyway.I suppose a compromise is putting shutters at the back, where they're maybe not so obvious and deterring scrotes from trying to get in out of view of the road.
I think the factor with lots of internal locks is the embuggerance you create for yourself. If you're serious about security you need to be using the locks you've installed all the time, but the ball-ache of having to unlock doors inside your own house when you get up in the morning shouldn't be under-estimated.
And finally, do you want to be living in a fortress? Most people aren't touched by domestic crime, so if you're in a 'normal' area and take 'normal' precautions, that's probably enough. I realise that isn't the question the OP was posing though.
I think the factor with lots of internal locks is the embuggerance you create for yourself. If you're serious about security you need to be using the locks you've installed all the time, but the ball-ache of having to unlock doors inside your own house when you get up in the morning shouldn't be under-estimated.
And finally, do you want to be living in a fortress? Most people aren't touched by domestic crime, so if you're in a 'normal' area and take 'normal' precautions, that's probably enough. I realise that isn't the question the OP was posing though.
it was me that started the other burgled thread.........talking to police and forensics and others - it's all about making it least attractive (as others have said on here).
The CCTV system that notifies the phone and the Alarm is definitely the way forward.
I've had some major locks put on too.
My problem (or the houses problem) is that it has a very secluded back garden - so I need to help them not get in.
Was thinking broken glass glued to top of fence............
The CCTV system that notifies the phone and the Alarm is definitely the way forward.
I've had some major locks put on too.
My problem (or the houses problem) is that it has a very secluded back garden - so I need to help them not get in.
Was thinking broken glass glued to top of fence............
Fit decent cylinders and handles on patio and composite doors, upvc doors are poor so I'm not sure it's worth fitting better locks. Fit laminated double glazed units to patio doors, they are not that expensive if you can do it yourself. Get a quality alarm fitted that covers all exits and all rooms with accessible windows. Upvc windows with espag locks are pretty secure, older types with cockspur handles are poor, wooden windows are also generally poor from a security point.
Most thieves are opportunists. They generally want to avoid confrontation, and will be deterred by even minor impediments to their ability to work undisturbed. Security lights, dog, locked doors and gates are a good deterrent.
Houses aren't the main target in many cases these days, except when thieves are after car keys. Outbuildings, garages, fuel oil, machinery and tools are common targets. Items inside a house are rarely worth anything secondhand, unless you have a really posh telly or something. That said thieves trying to fund a drug habit are much less cautious and discerning about what they steal.
Houses aren't the main target in many cases these days, except when thieves are after car keys. Outbuildings, garages, fuel oil, machinery and tools are common targets. Items inside a house are rarely worth anything secondhand, unless you have a really posh telly or something. That said thieves trying to fund a drug habit are much less cautious and discerning about what they steal.
shakotan said:
C0ffin D0dger said:
Big fence all the way round topped with razor wire. Could even electrify it 
You're not allowed to do either of those things.Honestly, the damned government will piss about with all sorts of measures to deter us from committing trifling offences that for the most part do not do anybody any harm, while normal decent people feel the need to be securing their homes on this scale in order to protect against a threat that should not be materialising anyhow.
There are loads things you can do, you're just looking to make your place less attractive.
Expensive Stuff...
A decent alarm, monitored and preferably something recognisable, it will deter thieves and make you feel a lot safer. We've got an ADT monitored system that's on every night, and every time we leave the house - even just for school pickup, you get used to it. Ours came with a fire warning system too, so especially useful. Make sure to include sensors in the garage if you have one, keeps bikes, cars tools etc that bit safer.
Cheaper Stuff:
Safes. Get one, or two. Most household safes are only as good as the mounting, so get that bit right. Useful for passports, docs, jewellery etc. You don't need something from Hatton Garden, just a smallish one is good for most applications. Incidentally the best bang for your buck (no pun intended) is something like a Bratton Sound Firearm safe - £200 and enough space for stacks of stuff. Again though, needs to be securely bolted down.
Filing Cabinet; useful for keeping docs safe obviously - the last thing you need after a burglary is someone making loan applications off the back of your gas bill...
Lighting; speaks for itself and is really cheap - some great battery/LED's now as well so you don't always need to faff around with wiring them in. Internally, nightlights are good and look like someone is phone-surfing all night, timers are great with normal lamps and for a bit extra the Philips Hue range are brilliant.
Gravel - weird one; I replaced our small front lawn with gravel (cos I'm idle like that) and it's now impossible to get near the front windows, or one side of the house without making a right racket.
Thorny bushes are ace for lower fences if possible, as are those plastic fence spikes - however you need to have a sign readily visible I believe to use them legally.
Free Stuff:
Lock gates, lock windows. Lock doors even when you're in. Put outdoor tools away, don't leave spades, garden crap out. Put ladders away. Keep kids bikes away and out of sight etc. Lock up tools even in the garage. Back up your most important content, use free cloud services if you don't fancy external HDD's. Or both if you're truly a nutter...
Expensive Stuff...
A decent alarm, monitored and preferably something recognisable, it will deter thieves and make you feel a lot safer. We've got an ADT monitored system that's on every night, and every time we leave the house - even just for school pickup, you get used to it. Ours came with a fire warning system too, so especially useful. Make sure to include sensors in the garage if you have one, keeps bikes, cars tools etc that bit safer.
Cheaper Stuff:
Safes. Get one, or two. Most household safes are only as good as the mounting, so get that bit right. Useful for passports, docs, jewellery etc. You don't need something from Hatton Garden, just a smallish one is good for most applications. Incidentally the best bang for your buck (no pun intended) is something like a Bratton Sound Firearm safe - £200 and enough space for stacks of stuff. Again though, needs to be securely bolted down.
Filing Cabinet; useful for keeping docs safe obviously - the last thing you need after a burglary is someone making loan applications off the back of your gas bill...
Lighting; speaks for itself and is really cheap - some great battery/LED's now as well so you don't always need to faff around with wiring them in. Internally, nightlights are good and look like someone is phone-surfing all night, timers are great with normal lamps and for a bit extra the Philips Hue range are brilliant.
Gravel - weird one; I replaced our small front lawn with gravel (cos I'm idle like that) and it's now impossible to get near the front windows, or one side of the house without making a right racket.
Thorny bushes are ace for lower fences if possible, as are those plastic fence spikes - however you need to have a sign readily visible I believe to use them legally.
Free Stuff:
Lock gates, lock windows. Lock doors even when you're in. Put outdoor tools away, don't leave spades, garden crap out. Put ladders away. Keep kids bikes away and out of sight etc. Lock up tools even in the garage. Back up your most important content, use free cloud services if you don't fancy external HDD's. Or both if you're truly a nutter...
Burglary
Looking for something else?
Homes with no security measures in place are five times more likely to be burgled than those with simple security measures. Good window locks and strong deadlocks can make a big difference.
Taking just a few steps can make a big difference in keeping your home safe from burglary. Here are a few tips:
Lock your doors and windows every time you leave the house, even when you're just out in the garden, remembering to double-lock UPVC doors (lift handle and turn key)
Hide all keys, including car keys, out of sight and away from the letterbox (remember a device could be used to hook keys through the letterbox)
Install a visual burglar alarm
Install good outside lighting
Get a trusted neighbour to keep an eye on your property
Leave radios or lights in your house on a timer to make the property appear occupied
Make sure the fences around your garden are in good condition
Secure bikes at home by locking them to an immoveable object inside a locked shed or garage
Keep ladders and tools stored away; don't leave them outside where they could be used to break into your home
Ensure side gates are locked to prevent access to the rear of the property
Ensure rear fencing is in good repair
Improve natural surveillance at the front of your property i.e. trim high hedges
Mark your property with postcode and house number and register your property for free with Immobilise (opens in a new window)
Consider joining or forming a Neighbourhood Watch scheme (opens in a new window)
Remove valuables from view of ground floor windows
Store any high value items (i.e. jewellery, passports) in a properly secured safe or bank vault
Doors and windows
In most burglaries, the criminals broke into the house or flat through the door, either by forcing the lock or kicking it in. So make sure your doors are strong and secure. Consider fitting a bar for extra strength; a locksmith can advise you on how best to do it.
Glass panels on doors are particularly vulnerable. If you have one on your door you could replace it with laminated glass, which is stronger. You can also buy a film in a DIY store that you can stick over the glass to make it harder to break.
Home security and DIY shops sell inexpensive, key-operated locks to fit most kinds of windows. Fit window locks with keys to all downstairs windows and those upstairs that are easy to reach.
Distraction burglary
If you're not sure who is at your door, don't open it. Check the identity of the caller by calling the company they are claiming to be from i.e. gas, electricity, water and police. Use the telephone numbers listed in your local directory or provided independently by your service provider - Do not use any telephone numbers provided by the caller - they may be bogus. The 'Waterboard' no longer exists, it is an obsolete phrase used only by bogus callers.
Going away on holiday
Make your home look like someone is living in it:
Use automatic timer-switches to turn your lights and radios on when it goes dark
Cancel any newspaper or milk deliveries
Use the Royal Mail's 'keepsafe' service - they keep your mail for up to 2 months while you're away. Mail sitting on your doorstep is a sign that you are away
Trusted neighbours may be able to help you by collecting your post, opening and closing curtains and they could park their car on your driveway
Avoid discussing holiday plans on public social networking sites - burglars can use any information you post on there to their advantage
Looking for something else?
Homes with no security measures in place are five times more likely to be burgled than those with simple security measures. Good window locks and strong deadlocks can make a big difference.
Taking just a few steps can make a big difference in keeping your home safe from burglary. Here are a few tips:
Lock your doors and windows every time you leave the house, even when you're just out in the garden, remembering to double-lock UPVC doors (lift handle and turn key)
Hide all keys, including car keys, out of sight and away from the letterbox (remember a device could be used to hook keys through the letterbox)
Install a visual burglar alarm
Install good outside lighting
Get a trusted neighbour to keep an eye on your property
Leave radios or lights in your house on a timer to make the property appear occupied
Make sure the fences around your garden are in good condition
Secure bikes at home by locking them to an immoveable object inside a locked shed or garage
Keep ladders and tools stored away; don't leave them outside where they could be used to break into your home
Ensure side gates are locked to prevent access to the rear of the property
Ensure rear fencing is in good repair
Improve natural surveillance at the front of your property i.e. trim high hedges
Mark your property with postcode and house number and register your property for free with Immobilise (opens in a new window)
Consider joining or forming a Neighbourhood Watch scheme (opens in a new window)
Remove valuables from view of ground floor windows
Store any high value items (i.e. jewellery, passports) in a properly secured safe or bank vault
Doors and windows
In most burglaries, the criminals broke into the house or flat through the door, either by forcing the lock or kicking it in. So make sure your doors are strong and secure. Consider fitting a bar for extra strength; a locksmith can advise you on how best to do it.
Glass panels on doors are particularly vulnerable. If you have one on your door you could replace it with laminated glass, which is stronger. You can also buy a film in a DIY store that you can stick over the glass to make it harder to break.
Home security and DIY shops sell inexpensive, key-operated locks to fit most kinds of windows. Fit window locks with keys to all downstairs windows and those upstairs that are easy to reach.
Distraction burglary
If you're not sure who is at your door, don't open it. Check the identity of the caller by calling the company they are claiming to be from i.e. gas, electricity, water and police. Use the telephone numbers listed in your local directory or provided independently by your service provider - Do not use any telephone numbers provided by the caller - they may be bogus. The 'Waterboard' no longer exists, it is an obsolete phrase used only by bogus callers.
Going away on holiday
Make your home look like someone is living in it:
Use automatic timer-switches to turn your lights and radios on when it goes dark
Cancel any newspaper or milk deliveries
Use the Royal Mail's 'keepsafe' service - they keep your mail for up to 2 months while you're away. Mail sitting on your doorstep is a sign that you are away
Trusted neighbours may be able to help you by collecting your post, opening and closing curtains and they could park their car on your driveway
Avoid discussing holiday plans on public social networking sites - burglars can use any information you post on there to their advantage
p1esk said:
shakotan said:
C0ffin D0dger said:
Big fence all the way round topped with razor wire. Could even electrify it
You're not allowed to do either of those things.Honestly, the damned government will piss about with all sorts of measures to deter us from committing trifling offences that for the most part do not do anybody any harm, while normal decent people feel the need to be securing their homes on this scale in order to protect against a threat that should not be materialising anyhow.
king lunatics. 
CharlesdeGaulle said:
I suppose a compromise is putting shutters at the back, where they're maybe not so obvious and deterring scrotes from trying to get in out of view of the road.
That is certainly what I'm considering. Whether it's true or just my perception, the French windows are more vulnerable than normal windows.Badda said:
Yipper said:
Allow me to further my post count with another pointless response
Why do you bother posting? Honestly, it's just always drivel. Edited by ReverendCounter on Friday 2nd February 16:48
227bhp said:
p1esk said:
I'd never heard of blast resistant glazing, but would it give protection against those who might use a glass cutter to gain entry?
You've been watching too many films.As you can tell, this is not my primary area of expertise.
Badda said:
p1esk said:
shakotan said:
C0ffin D0dger said:
Big fence all the way round topped with razor wire. Could even electrify it
You're not allowed to do either of those things.Honestly, the damned government will piss about with all sorts of measures to deter us from committing trifling offences that for the most part do not do anybody any harm, while normal decent people feel the need to be securing their homes on this scale in order to protect against a threat that should not be materialising anyhow.
king lunatics. If we were to get our priorities right and have a proper system of law and order, those normal decent people wouldn't need to do so much of this stuff; and even when they've spent the money and taken all the precautions, they're still left with some degree of worry in case it all proves inadequate.
It seems odd to me that you're attacking my stance (that is what you're doing, isn't it?) when what I'm actually doing is advocating action that would help to relieve these normal decent people of worries that they ought not to have.
With all due respect, I must say I'm bound to wonder just whose side you are on?
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