Simple But Effective Guide to Burglary Prevention

The methods criminals use to enter homes and offices to carry out a residential or a commercial burglary has changed over the years no thanks to the internet and foreign importers giving criminals easy access to the latest tools to circumvent locks and security systems, but the way these criminals choose their targets i.e residential homes, has remained the same, and whilst many people may think that these low life’s are hard faced, the last thing they want is to be seen, disturbed or caught by the police.

Whilst having a modern, top of the range security system can be very effective at keeping the burglars out, the most efficient approach is to prevent your home becoming one of their targets in the first place.

Unlike some crimes, burglary is seldom a spare of the moment thing, these criminals will choose their target carefully so the security experts here at Train Locksmiths have created an easy to follow guide aimed at putting a burglar off, to keep them out of your home, and also making it difficult for them to steal your valuables if they do decide to break in.

How do Burglars Choose their Targets?

Contrary to popular belief that burglars usually creep around in all black and break into a home late at night when the home owners are fast asleep in bed, they are most likely to be active 9am till 5pm. This is because the burglar understands that most people will be at work during the day and in most households both the husband and wife have jobs, so it’s vital that you make sure all doors and windows are closed and securely locked before you both leave for work in the morning.

Burglars will often gauge a homes security and layout before attempting entry, sometimes for days to get a feel for your schedule and security.

If your front door looks too secure, i.e. it is a modern high security composite door or it’s easily visible from the street, then the burglar will generally move to the rear of the property where they are less likely to be spotted by neighbours or passers by. One of the most common mistakes homeowners make is leaving house keys within reach of the door where a burglar can reach for them with a long piece of wire through a letterbox, cat-flap or by breaking a small window in the door.

What is the best way to deter burglars?

The easiest method to deter burglars is to not allow your home to be desirable to them. You want to limit the burglar’s certainty that they will be rewarded should they spend time breaking in and the best way to do this is to keep your valuables out of sight, so burglars are not certain as to whether the risk they are taking is worth the reward.

If a burglar can see laptop computers, tablets, mobile phone, jewellery, or car keys through the window then they know what they stand to gain should they break in, and what they should prioritise if it’s quick smash and grab. So hiding these expensive, easy to steal objects means a burglar is less certain whether your home is actually worth breaking into

You should also avoid making it obvious that you home is unoccupied as a burglar knows they have a clear period during which the home is unoccupied, they can enter knowing there is little chance of detection.

Because criminals have access to lock information and lock picking videos online it’s a good idea to have a security review every few years, many independent locksmiths in Leeds and other large cities offer security reviews where they check your door and window locks and advise as to whether you should get then replaced

If these simple tips are followed, then the likelihood of burglary to your property is greatly reduced.