Victims of Burglary often Wonder Why their House was Picked!
Val Moynihan of Euroguard Security recommends the following:
Burglary is typically an opportunist crime, an intruder will target a house because it offers them the best opportunity to carry out their crime undetected and with the fewest number of obstacles in their way. A building that looks unoccupied and unsecure is more likely to be targeted than one that looks secure!
Things to avoid and remember:
- Side gates open
- Accessible windows open
- Ladders left out, allowing easy access to otherwise inaccessible windows
- Garden tools lying around that could be used for gaining entry
- Untrimmed hedges or high fences preventing natural surveillance.
Residents of multi occupancy dwellings or flats should be mindful not to grant entry to people via an entry phone system, if they do not know them, and to be cautious of people seeking to tailgate them into the building.
Stop, Look, Always ask for an Identification Badge 99% of companies issue them.
Points to remember
The question is are their occupants in the house?
- Milk bottles or parcels on the doorstep
- Newspapers and mail in the letterbox
- Unlit houses after dark
- All windows shut in hot weather
These are signs telling the burglar that he is unlikely to be disturbed in the course of his work. Naturally, circumstances may arise when such situations may be unavoidable. If we can take measures that tell the burglar that this building is too difficult or too risky a target, he will hopefully move on.
Points to Remember
Are you leaving a thief the key to your house?
- Never leave a spare key concealed anywhere near the front door - burglars know all the hiding places
- Prevent letterbox burglaries by storing keys away from the front door
- Do not label your house keys in case you lose them and they fall into the wrong hands.
Never Attract temptation
- Where possible, keep all valuables out of sight from windows
Points to Remember
Make it look as though your home is occupied
- Install timers which switch lights or radios on and off automatically.
- Have a neighbour or friend pop round to clear your letter box or doorstep.
- Encourage a neighbour to park on your drive.
- If going out after dark, draw the curtains, leave some lights on and a stereo playing
Points to Remember
If you are going on Holiday
- Cancel the delivery of milk and newspapers
- Disconnect the telephone answering machine, or re-word your greeting message to give the impression that you are only temporarily unable to answer.
- Enlist the help of a neighbour, friend or relative to keep a regular eye on your property and keep the front door clear of deliveries.
- If you are prepared to leave a key with a willing neighbour/relative, ask for curtains to be drawn and lights to be put on at night. If snow is on the ground a few footprints will make the house appear inhabited.
- Check your insurance policy. Some insurance policies for contents don't cover you if you are away for more than 30 days.
- Set your burglar alarm.
- If you do not have an alarm, consider investing a few pounds in a dummy alarm box. It may well deter the opportunist thief.
Remove the Opportunity - Prevent the Burglary!