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Make it Difficult for the Burglar! Most burglaries are carried out by opportunist thieves. In two out of ten burglaries there is no force used - burglars have got in through an open door or window. Look at your home through a burglar's eyes!
Windows - window locks that are easily seen may put off some thieves as they would have to break the glass to get in. Window locks should be fitted to all downstairs windows, windows hidden from a street view and easy to reach upstairs windows. Even small windows need locks - a burglar can get through any gap that is larger than your head. Remember - remove keys from locked windows and keep the, out of sight! Doors - If your front and back doors are not secure, neither is your home. Make sure that doors and door frames are in good condition - doors should be at least 44mm thick. Glass panels on or around doors are especially vulnerable - try to replace with laminated glass. Fit front and back doors with five-lever mortice deadlocks and make sure you use them. (Before fitting locks to UPVC doors check with installer to make sure this will not affect your warranty). Remember - never hang a spare key inside the letterbox, under the doormat, or in a flowerpot - these are obvious places that a thief will check! Burglar Alarms - if a burglar can see a burglar alarm, it will make them think twice about breaking into a property. Remember if you are thinking of installing a burglar alarm, you should:-
Lighting - good lighting can put off a thief! Some outside lights have an infrared sensor to switch lights on for a short amount of time when it detects something moving nearby. Remember - make it look like you're at home when you're not, most burglaries happen when your property is empty!
Garages and Sheds - are often full of expensive tools which are ideal for breaking into the rest of the house - and are often left unlocked!
Property Marking Property marking is your second line of defence against thieves! Marking your property is one of the easiest and effective ways of protecting your possessions. By marking your property it let's others know that the item has been stolen, making it more more difficult for the burglar to sell on. It also makes tracing and returning your stolen property a lot easier for the police. "If it's worth taking - it's worth marking!" Take a good look around every room in your home as well as outside in your garage and/or shed. Consider all the things you would be sorry to lose or find hard to replace - then mark them! Remember that anything useful or attractive is re-saleable. For example - all your electrical equipment and mechanical goods, household appliances, pictures, ornaments, antiques and silver. Anything easy to move and carry! Marking is easy - Always mark your property with your postcode and house number! Two Main Types of Property Marking: Permanent Marking - engraving and punching identifies your property for good. Tools and kits can be bought from DIY shops and ironmongers. Invisible Marking - this marking is the best method for antiques and other valuable items that would lose value if spoiled by permanent marking. Property is marked by using a UV marker pen that is 'invisible' to the eye. The mark is however visible using a UV lamp that police use to scan all recovered property. Invisible marking is a deterrent to burglars if you use the stickers from police saying 'property in this home has been marked' and place them anywhere a burglar might force entry. It is worth keeping an inventory of all your household possessions to be sure to mark the things that you own, including items kept in your shed and garage.(See the Coded for Keeps attachment at the bottom of this page). This will make the process of updating and renewing property marks easier. (Property marking packs, including stickers, are given away to all atendees of North East Derbyshire Cracking Crime Events - see above for dates)
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