It was the invention of the deadbolt in the 1960’s that first frustrated burglars and residential burglaries saw a nose-dive. With more recent additions to the home-security arsenal including electronic security, near-ubiquitous CCTV – both public and domestic – safer windows and motion-sensitive outdoor lighting, opportunities to bag the swag have plateaued.
Nevertheless, 2016 figures from the Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) show an estimated 6.2 million incidents of crime were experienced by adults aged 16 and over. These statistics cover crimes against the person and against households (such as domestic burglary).
Here, then, are 5 top tips to deter burglars:
1. Avoid Facebook!
With Facebook such an easy window into people’s private lives, never post that you are not home or how long you will be out. Save holiday snaps until you are safely home.
2. Don’t ‘Showboat’
It is asking for trouble – especially from opportunist burglars – to leave things lying around outside the house, such as bicycles and scooters. Also, do not leave ladders, stools or garden furniture out when you are not home as they make it easier to climb through windows. It is also asking for trouble if, having purchased big-ticket gadgets like plasma TVs or similar electronic appliances to then leave the packaging in plain sight beside your waste bins. These advertise your conspicuous consumption and invite investigation into what other goodies you have indoors.
Even people walking by your house may see too much through the windows. Look to see what is visible from the street. If you have a number of expensive items within sight, especially by windows, think about moving them out of view.
3. Don’t leave portable valuables about
How many times do we need to be told this! Many burglars ‘work’ on foot and steal money, jewellery, small electronics, and so on. These items should be kept in a hidden safe.
4. Lock your deadbolts
It may come as a surprise, but so many of us don’t think to actually lock the deadbolts, even when you are in the house.
Lock your deadbolts. Ex-burglars admit how easy it is to card a house with the deadbolt unlocked. You might as well leave the door open!
5. Secure sliding doors and windows
Even locked, plastic-framed double-glazing units can be opened with a screwdriver and some creative jemmying. By inserting some dowel, two-by-four or even a steel bar into the back groove, doors can’t be moved. Similarly, while ensuring windows are locked, inserting a pin or nail in the frame will stop it rising more than a few inches.
Be paranoid ALL THE TIME! Lights, cameras – NO BURGLARY ACTION!
