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Advice from The Home Office on Reducing Burglary

home security advice from micromark

Upvc Window and Door Upgrades.

Time to check security of your plastic doors and windows.

The 1970s and 1980s saw a large increase in the installations of upvc (plastic) windows and doors. This started with the replacement of old wooden materials and then new homes were fitted with them.

Everyone enjoyed the warmth and the freedom from maintenance and draughts. Once fitted nothing needed to be done – or does it?

Every salesman you spoke with at that time said their product was burglar proof and to some extent they were a great improvement with the multi point locking of doors and built in window locks.

Unfortunately, because of their great durability people have not even considered making sure they are secured to stop the modern burglar.

The two particular points I would ask you to consider are as follows.

Upvc Windows

The beading on some types of upvc windows can be removed from the outside. If yours can then a burglar could remove the beading and then the glass panel in silence. This gives the thief easy access to the property and the ability to steal bulky items pretty quickly.

Firstly check if the beading can be removed in this way please contact a double glazing repair company and have them secure the beading so they cannot be removed easily. This normally involves the proper adhesive or tape. This does not require replacement of the window.

Upvc Doors

Some door handles and locks on upvc doors can be forced quickly and quietly. Please make sure the exterior door handles are sufficiently robust they meet the design standard “pas 24-1.” This means they will resist the efforts of a burglar for a lengthy period. They cannot be overcome without noise.

Also upgrade the locks to present standards by fitting "Snapsafe" or "Break Secure" Euro cylinders to the locks. The value of these lock cylinders is that even if the burglar breaks the lock in the door the door remains locked. The older type of cylinder could let the burglar in when the cylinder breaks

People may have difficulty in finding if they need security upgrades. I suggest you contact the company who fitted the plastic windows and doors. If that's not possible contact a reputable double glazing repair company for advice and quote. The cost is reasonable.

Personal recommendation from relatives, neighbours or friends is best but if that's not possible then check Yellow Pages under “Window and Double Glazing Repairs.” Always get several quotes.

These modifications really will resist burglars attacking homes in this area at the moment.

For further advice on this very important subject please contact safelinks via messages/private.


Further reading

http://www.crimereduction.gov.uk/burglary/burglary52.htm

http://www.securedbydesign.com/index.aspx

http://www.squirelocks.co.uk/html/cylinders_snapsafe.htm

http://www.afs-securitysystems.com/Break-Secure.php

Detective Chief Inspector Rick Proctor of Humberside Police, said, "Whilst the number of house burglaries has fallen in Humberside it is common sense to do
all you can to prevent this misery. I endorse this timely advice to provide good security and great peace of mind."

D/C/I Proctor

• Fit deadlocks to all outside doors - burglars hate them because you need a key to open them from the inside as well as the outside.

• Put key operated locks on all downstairs or accessible windows - burglars don’t like having to smash windows because of the noise and the danger of cutting themselves

• Try to make sure your TV and other valuables can’t be seen from your window. Also don’t leave empty boxes of new purchases outside for burglars to see

• Use a timer switch to turn lights and radios on when you are out or away to give the impression that your house is occupied (as little as £2 each from DIY shops)

• Install a visible burglar alarm - and turn it on

• Restrict access to your back garden by having a solid fence and lockable gate

"How does a burglar's mind work?" Burglary, on the whole, is an opportunist crime. A burglar will select his target because it offers him the best opportunity to carry out his crime undetected and with the fewest number of obstacles in his way. A building that presents itself as unoccupied and insecure is far more likely to be targeted than one which is properly secured:

side gates open

accessible windows open

ladders left out, allowing access to otherwise inaccessible windows

garden tools available to force entry

untrimmed hedges or high fences preventing natural surveillance

Each of these makes access to the building far simpler and is an indication to the prospective burglar that it's worth a second look.

The question is, are the occupants in?

milk bottles or parcels on the doorstep

newspapers and mail in the letter box

unlit houses after dark

all windows shut in very 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.

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

Remove temptation.

where possible, try to keep valuables out of sight from windows

Make it look as though your house 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 radio playing

If you are away for extended periods.

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.

Remember: Remove the Opportunity - Prevent the Burglary

But putting extra security into a house does work. The local burglary reduction scheme (BURP) reduced repeat victimisation in high crime areas from 13.7% to 5% simply by fitting higher security items. Out of over 1000 homes secured only on two occasions was the security overcome after the fitting of the extra security.

Opportunist Burglary

Burglars will walk along streets looking for open windows and trying doors. They already have a story for use if challenged. They will nip into a house and steal handbags on the kitchen table or anything they can turn into cash quite easily. These thieves will work during the day and into the evening. Locally about three out of ten house burglaries take place through insecure doors or windows.

Please get into the habit of always keeping windows and doors locked even if you are in the house.

Forced entry.

Review your house by first looking at the rear door. The back door should have at least 3 points of security, usually a 5-lever lock to B.S. 3621 (Look for the Kite Mark) and 2 sliding bolts and use the front door as the normal exit point. By going out by the front door you can slide the back door bolts. Fit a 5-lever lock to the front door. Door locks aren't normally picked. They are forced by bodily pressure or with an instrument such as a jemmy or garden spade. A five lever lock is much more substantial and resistant in every way. Don’t leave keys in doors, even when they are locked. People can kick panels in or reach through cat flaps to get inside. Make sure the door frames are substantial enough to resist bodily force.

Fit locks on all ground floor windows and first floor windows near flat roofs or fall pipes. Fit one or two window locks depending on the size of windows. Use the locks and take all keys out. If you don’t do this then windows can be smashed and the window unlocked easily.

Upvc frames vary considerably. Make sure the beading cannot be removed from the outside. Extra security can be installed on upvc frames by way of sash jammers. On upvc windows use sash jammers and on rear doors use sash jammers to act as door bolts. Consult with the company who fitted your upvc windows for help and if not available go to a local upvc window repair company. Check in Yellow Pages under Double Glazing Repair.

Cut down overgrown hedges or bushes so burglars cannot get to work out of sight. Instal security lights but think of nuisance to neighbours.

Get round to fitting a smoke alarm and have an escape plan set up in case of fire.

Sheds and Garages.

Tools and mowers are very saleable. Look around hardware supermarkets for ideas to increase shed security by beefing up locks and hinges. Don’t leave spades and ladders outside for use by burglars. There are also some good cheap shed alarms worth considering. The twin siren alarm available through local Neighbourhood Watch Groups is ideal.

Garden Ornaments.

Postcode them and secure with chains. If possible fit a movement sensor. There are people wandering about looking in gardens for these items to sell at car boot sales.

House Burglar Alarms.

Buy one and always go for local companies by recommendation from friends or relatives. Ensure British Standard. Get into the habit of using it when you go out and when you go to bed. Use it if you have a barbecue in the summer.

If you hear an alarm sounding, investigate if you are able to or call somebody who can. Call the police on 999 if you see a crime being committed.

For specific advice please give safelinks a call.

This advice has been compiled from local knowledge of George Costello, Police Crime Prevention Officer and Ian Beaumont, Editor of safelinks, retired police officer who worked on the local burglary reduction scheme for some time.

Jewellery

It is fact that people who burgle someone else’s home often search for jewellery. It is easily transported from the scene, it’s quick to move on and owners find it difficult to describe it to the authorities.

Second hand jewellery fetches a relatively low price, certainly much lower than the value set on it by the owner because it often represents a memorable moment in life, such as marriage, Christening, or a special holiday. It could even have been owned by someone close who has passed away. It's loss causes great distress.

The thief has no regard for this – it’s just a means of turning something into cash.

It’s difficult to property mark jewellery.  There is a way and if anyone is interested we could give information on that.

But this Christmas people will have received digital cameras or they have had them for a while. The digital camera is an item often stolen in a burglary but in addition to it being a target for crime it can be used for good.

What better first project for the camera, once the instructions in small text have been mastered, than to photograph all jewellery in the house.

Here are a few practical tips

Back to the camera first of all. If you can’t read the instructions with your own reading glasses borrow your partner’s and put them over the top of yours. It works a treat. Don’t give up.

Setting Up

Find a flat plain background such as a piece of a cardboard box or large piece of cloth. Make sure it doesn’t reflect light. Don’t try to photograph too many items. Pick small groups so they can be seen easily. Place a ruler alongside so the size can be seen.

Where

It’s best to take the photographs in natural light. I don’t mean take them out of the garden for all and sundry to admire and possibly steal your rocks but using flash in artificial light can cause glare so the items cannot be seen clearly. Best to go near a window when sun is coming in and not use flash.

Camera Shake

When the camera is set to take a photograph in this relatively low light then the aperture will be large and the shutter speed will be long and this may lead to shake when the shutter is pressed. Try holding the camera against a solid object, use a bean bag or try to borrow a tripod. Use a bit of trial and error here. On digital cameras it costs nothing.

Focus

Because you are shooting quite close to the subject focus becomes an issue.  First of all aim and half depress the shutter.  On most digital cameras there is the facility on the camera to focus by holding the shutter down half way before pressing fully.  The camera adjusts the focus.  Or you could use the macro button which allows you to shoot really close. Please read the two sections of the instructions to see what I am talking about.

What to do with the Images

Download them to My Pictures and also copy them to a CD. Describe each piece carefully on a Word document and save that on My documents and the CD.  Store the CD away from the computer and the jewellery.

Solicitors say, when making out wills, that making a will doesn’t bring your demise forward and in the same way taking snaps of your valuables does not mean they are going to be stolen.  It means that if they are stolen the prospects of return are increased much more and insurance claims run more smoothly.

If jewellery is stolen and there are photographs available they will be published on safelinks.  Safelinks will also widen publication elsewhere, giving much more chance of return when Police execute search warrants.

Any problems please call via messages/then click on “Send a private message.”
Please also call if you have other tips for publication on this page.

The houses being attacked are ones with the older type of upvc windows where the beading can be removed from the outside.

If you have this type of arrangement then all is not lost. You don't need the windows to be replaced. All that is needed is for the window panels to be secured by means of double sided tape. If cost is a major issue then simply have the ground floor windows upgraded.

First step is to find if the panels can be removed from the outside by calling the company who installed the windows. If that's not possible call a reputable local double glazing repair company. If you are having difficulty look in Yellow pages under, "Double glazing repair." If you are still having difficulty give safelinks a call.

There is great peace of mind to know your window security has been upgraded.

Burglar Alarms
Advice on buying a burglar alarm. Take your time and always get a few quotes from local companies recommended by relatives or friends. Don't be pressured into a, "We've got people in the area and can do the job for a bargain price." If you have problem a good local firm will be able to put things right very quickly. Any help required please give us a call.