Crime Prevention Tips

Home security is a crucial aspect of safeguarding your property and loved ones. In the UK, the statistics are clear – homes without security measures are five times more likely to be burgled than those with even basic precautions. In this comprehensive guide, we'll delve into the facts, figures, and practical tips to help you secure your home against burglaries. From understanding the most vulnerable entry points to implementing effective security measures, Gavin Wilson Director of Physical Security shares how you can significantly reduce the risk of break-ins and protect what matters most to you.

Facts (UK) 

• Homes with no security measures are five times more likely to be burgled than those with simple security measures. 
• 50% of burglaries are committed through a forced door or unsecured window or door. 
• 30% of burglaries are through an open door or window. 
• There is a 25% spike in home burglaries in autumn and winter months. 
• Only 9% of property taken during burglaries is recovered. 
• 40% of UK homeowners have installed a burglar alarm, but only a third of them set the alarm when they leave. 
• 23% of people stash valuables in their underwear drawer and 20% in their wardrobe. 
• Burglars target homes that they think will contain valuables. A giveaway is leaving packaging from expensive items outside your front door. 
• Burglars typically do not want to be seen or heard and if they feel that they would be noticed by a neighbour or passer-by then they are more likely to feel exposed and may move on to find somewhere else to burgle. 
• Burglars are aware of the times when someone is away from their house such as during the school run or holidays. 
• Burglars often choose a home because they have spotted a specific vehicle, motorcycle or bicycle they want to steal – and the keys are more than likely to be inside the residence. 
• Sheds and garages are often vulnerable as they are not that secure and contain tools which the burglar can use to assist gaining entry to the home. 
• Many burglars return to homes that they have previously burgled because the homeowner failed to upgrade security following the first burglary. They sometimes return to an area to try to burgle a nearby home that they spotted while committing a previous break in. 
• People living in urban areas are more likely to be victims of property crime than those in rural parts. 
• Most burglaries are opportunistic and exploit a vulnerability which has been spotted. 

 Tips

• Mark your property with postcode and house number and register your property for free with Immobilise. 
• Consider joining a neighbourhood watch. 
• Leave radios or lights in your house on a timer to make the property appear occupied. 
• Doors. 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. 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 are 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, or 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. 
• Make it look like you are home. When you go out during the day, make it look like your home is not empty. Leave a radio on, do not leave the house too tidy and/or place a vacuum cleaner in sight (with the plug out of sight and unplugged). These simple displays make it look like you are home. 
• When you go out in the evening consider using timer switches or daylight sensors to turn your lights on whilst you are out. Remember, put lights on timers in rooms that you would normally be in. 
• Holiday. Before you go on holiday, take a few steps to make it look like you are at home. Ask a friend to open or shut curtains or if that is not possible, leave them open, never half-closed. A TV simulator makes it look like your TV is on and has its own timer. Also ask a friend to collect your post or use Royal Mail KeepSafe by applying online (takes 5 days)5. 
• Sharing too much information on social media could give a burglar information about when your house is empty. Do not publicly publicised that you are abroad, and your house is empty. 
• Back in a sec or out for the day. Whether you are popping to the shops or heading out to work, secure your house in the same way. Even if you are in the back garden, secure your house, as burglars look for easy opportunities to take items from open windows or unlocked garages.  
• Door security. Good locks keep your door secure but these should be supported by strong door frames. If you need to replace your damaged or weak doorframe, ensure the door set is certified to British Standard PAS 24.
• House Keys. Keys should not be left in the door as these can be used to manipulate the lock, removed, and used from the outside to enter. 
• Hide all keys, including car keys, out of sight and away from the letterbox (remember a device could hook keys through the letterbox) but ensure they are easily accessible in case of a fire. 
• PVCu Doors. Most of these have a multi-point locking system comprising of a latch and mortice bolt at the centre, and either a further mortice bolt or hook bolt above and below this. Make sure that you always lock the door with a key. Simply closing the door and pushing the handle up will not stop a burglar. Always make sure you fully engage the multi-locking mechanism, and that the door is securely locked. Fitting additional locks or security measures to PVCu Doors may invalidate your warranty.  
• Wooden Doors. Your front door or the door you use to come and go, should be fitted with at least two locking points. These locks should be to British Standard BS3621 and ideally a night latch and a five-lever mortice lock. Rear doors can be fitted with a mortice sash lock and either lockable bolts or mortice rack bolts top and bottom. Note: with ‘stable’ type doors treat each door of the set as separate doors.  
• Patio Doors. Most modern patio doors are fitted with a multi-point locking system which includes locking hook bolts and anti-lift systems. If you have older patio doors you may want to think about supplementing the existing locks with additional patio door locks. 
• Windows. Restrict access via open windows, even when you are in the house. If you are indoors, use fanlight windows for ventilation and lock the lower windows. If you do not have these, use lockable window restrictors. 
• Keys. Ensure that all your windows have locks if you do not have multi-point locking systems. There are several good locks on the market which are available relatively cheaply. 
• Frames Just like your doors, make sure your windows and frames are strong and in good condition and are certified to British Standard PAS24. Ensure any PVCu windows are secured into the frames. 
• Car Keys. Some burglars break in to steal your car using your car keys. Never keep your car keys by the front door or in view of a window. Store them somewhere difficult to find or in a drawer that is noisy to open. To avoid confrontation though, never take your car keys to the bedroom at night. 
• Never leave car documents or ID in obvious places such as kitchens or hallways.
• Key safes

• • If you are looking into buying a key safe make sure that you consider the following advice: 
  • Is there a real need for a key safe? Instead wherever possible leave a key with a trusted person to allow access, and only if this is not practical consider a key safe. 
  • Remember some key safes are only convenience products and are not a tested security product. Always look for “Secured by Design” and “Sold Secure” logos for accredited security products.  
  • If you do buy a key safe, ensure that you follow manufacturer’s guidelines. When fitting the key safe use correct fixings for the surface that the key safe is being attached to. 
  • Make sure that you do not fit where it is in view of passers-by and if possible hide from sight with other furniture i.e. window box or mailbox. 
  • If you are not sure about fitting the key safe yourself, make sure that you use the manufacturer’s fitting service or a Master Locksmith Association accredited member (08007831498) or a trader from Trading Standards Buy with Confidence scheme. 

• Home Safes. Using a safe will make it harder for a burglar to take valuable or special sentimental items but make sure it is fitted correctly to a solid surface and the insurance rating is relevant to the contents. Never store large amounts of cash at home as your insurance may not cover this being taken. 
• Boundaries, gates & fences. Boundaries should be secure but still allow you to make sure any potential intruders can be seen from the street or by neighbours. Tall fences and gates to the rear, in good condition, will deter burglars. Lock all gates with a close shackled padlock. If two-way access is required use a Rim Lock or Kays lock. If you have wrought iron gates, line the outside with a fine mesh securely attached to the gates to prevent climbing. 
• Shed & garages. Fit strong British standard locks to your outbuildings. Store away any tools or ladders so they can’t be taken or used to aid burglars (see property marking for more information). If you have any doors which connect directly to your house, they should be treated in the same way you would an external door. 
• Security lights. Good outdoor lighting on your property can deter a burglar. To the front of the house use lamps with energy efficient bulbs operated by a daylight sensor so they come on automatically when it’s dark. To the rear of the house use lamps operated by a PIR movement sensor but be aware that animal movements might set them off and make you jump! Any light fitted should be compatible with any CCTV equipment you have.  
• External lighting. Permanently light the front of the house with energy efficient lighting, which is activated by a dusk till dawn sensor, so that as you approach your house at night you see all is well before you arrive, and the burglar is discouraged in approaching by the light. Other areas can be manually lit, or PIR activated. If no one overlooks an area or will see the light on the only person to benefit from lighting elsewhere is the thief. 
• Bins. Burglars have been known to use wheelie bins and other rubbish storing items to get over fences into your back and side gardens. Do not let a burglar turn a bin into a stepladder. Storing these away keeps your garden safe. 
• CCTV. To make sure that your home CCTV system is compliant with the Data Protection Act, visit the Information Commissioner’s Office website for further information. 
• SmartWater. Marking or etching your postcode and house number or forensic marking (i.e. SelectaDNA or SmartWater on items of property that are particularly valuable is a good deterrent to thieves because we can trace them more easily if stolen. Burglars will find it more difficult to sell your property on and it will help you recover anything that does get stolen.  
• Make an inventory of your property including photographs, a full description and where relevant serial and model numbers. If these items are stolen it can help Police to recover them recovery and help catch who did it. 
• The object ID card. The Object ID card7 helps you keep clear records of your property.  
• Sheds. Sheds often contain tools, bikes and gardening equipment which are not just valuable, but which could prove useful to a burglar. Secure the door with padbolts and close-shackle padlocks or a padlock alarm. 
• Hinges should be fitted using coach bolts and large backing washers. 
• You could also think about installing a shed alarm and a lockable chest for chemicals and valuable equipment. 
• Fences. Rear fences should be 2 metres high including a trellis to support plants but not to support the weight of a possible intruder. 
• Keep fences and plants in the front garden below 1 metre in height so you do not give potential burglars somewhere to hide. 
• Defensive planting. Reinforce the garden’s perimeter by planting prickly shrubs or a thorny hedge and train them to grow on trellis on top of 1.8 metre fencing to deter potential offenders. 
• Lighting. Lighting can deter or draw attention to thieves. Use energy saving bulbs activated by a dawn to dusk sensor. Motion sensor lighting which goes on as soon as anyone walks close is advised, as well as a visible CCTV camera. 
• In the evening, shut the curtains and leave lights on. 
• Gravel. Lay gravel on paths and beneath doors and ground-floor windows - burglars do not like it because it's noisy to walk on. 
• Side gate. Side gates should be solid, flat faced and the same height as the fence. Secure with padbolts top and bottom, padlocks, and a spring return. 
• Planter. Fix plant pots to the ground using a bolt and retaining anchor plate and mark tools and furniture with your postcode followed by your house number e.g., CM1 1ZX 11 
• Oil tank. Secure an oil tank with padlocks, oil level gauge, security lighting and defensive planting. Speak to your local Crime Reduction officer for information on suitable alarms. 
• Dog. A dog or even just a sign warning of a dog might deter a burglar. 
• Alarms. Alarms, even if fake, would also act as a deterrent.  
• If you see someone acting suspiciously in your area or if you suspect someone of stealing or dealing in stolen jewellery, contact the Police on 101, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or crimestoppers-uk.org. 

Protecting Jewellery 

• Keep any high value items in a safe deposit box or bank. Where this is not possible, put them in a safe, which is secured to a wall or floor and complies with official insurance rating standards. 
• Take pictures of your jewellery and itemise each one on your home insurance to ensure they are covered by your policy. 
• Keep an inventory of your jewellery. This can be done in a paper version or online with companies such as Immobilise. Include identifying marks, value, and purchase date. 
• Invest in CCTV and burglar alarms wherever possible for extra security and peace of mind. 
• When wearing jewellery in public, particularly during wedding season and religious holidays, consider keeping your jewellery hidden until you get to the venue and be extra vigilant. 
• Make sure your home is always kept secure - fully lock windows and doors. 
• Use forensic marking such as SmartWater or Selectamark to identify your jewellery. Information on forensic marking can be found on Secured by Design. 
• You can also request a home visit from your local crime prevention tactical advisor, who can advise on how to increase home security. Call 101.

What to Do? 

Discover a Burglar 

If you get home and notice signs of a break in: 

• Do not go in or shout as the burglar could still be inside. 
• Go to a neighbour to call the police. If you think the burglar is still inside, let the police know by calling 999. 
• Do not touch anything as you could destroy valuable evidence. 

After Reporting a Burglary 

• Phone the police immediately and give them all the information you can. 
• If you can easily identify what has been stolen, including make, model and serial number or other identifying marks, write it down. 
• Do not touch anything as you could destroy valuable evidence. 
• Contact your bank/building society/credit card company immediately to cancel any cards you think may be missing. Ask them whether the card has been used or if there has been an attempt to use your card. The bank will be able to provide the time and location.  
• Think about whether the intruder may have taken any spare keys (including any car keys) and if so change your locks. If you need a trader to change your locks, look for a company that is a member of the Master Locksmiths Association or registered with Trading Standards – Buy with Confidence scheme.