Locks . It goes without saying that homes should be protected with good quality locks on external doors and windows. A five-lever mortice deadlock or sash locks should be fitted and outside doors and patio doors should have lockable bolts top and bottom. Window locks should have removeable keys.
Never leave keys on a string behind the letterbox or
Valuables should be marked with a UV pen detailing your post code and house number and pictures or videos taken of them. This can help with identification if recovered. Marking should be visible to the naked eye and where possible, if you have used covert marking then a sticker on the article should indicate this - remember items often land up in auctions or boot sales where purchasers will not carry a UV light or scanner
Alarms and external PIR security lighting can be a useful deterrent. The alarm you fit can either simply sctivste a bell or sounder or it can be connected to the alarm company's central station. The monitoring station will ascertain that the call is genuine and if the company is a member of a regulatory body, the central station will automatically put an emergency call through to the Police.
alert your neighbours to the fact that, should they report the bell ringing to the Police, they must accompany this information with positive sighting of suspicious activity. For example, the door may be open and they know you are out, or they see an intruder entering or leaving the property. When going out, leave a light and/or radio on to give the impression of being occupied. If going away for a while, have a neighbour pop in to draw or open curtains and switch on/off lights. They can also park a car on your drive during your holidays.
If you have a bells only alarm, then please
Sheds & Garages are particularly at risk and should always be fitted with suitable good quality locks and locked at all times. Keep valuable garden equipment inside when not in use, especially ladders. All property should be marked, particularily strimmers and chainsaws.
keys left in the lock offenders can just reach up and let themselves in. It's best to keep keys well out of reach of any home openings anyway as thieves have used hooked sticks to reach through. If out of the house ensure all keys, including car keys and office keys, are locked away.
under the mat - these are the first places a thief looks!
Bogus Callers are a growing menace, to see the details or how to deal with them.
Cat flaps can porvide an entrance to the burglar too, with
on what to do if you see something supicious.
Also,
In the House & Garden
