Burglaries: Practical, effective ways to protect your home? And spot targets?

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JamesFuller
JamesFuller Posts: 85 Forumite
in In my home (includes DIY) MoneySaving
Hello all,

Recently I heard there has been a string of burglaries in my area.

I have always been vigilant doing things like:
  • Installing a home alarm (no CCTV or anything)
  • Checking everything door and window is locked every night
  • Following work men (e.g. plumbers) when they come to the house
  • When I can I try and see if there is any unusual activity / loiters in the visible radius from my house
  • Not leave many expensive things in the house

There is a high amount of immigrant, poor Eastern European population 3 or 4 miles from my area. I am not implying that is a cause, but it is a concern where they are known to ride without car number plates, leave homes in disarray and leave without paying rent and only here for a quick buck until next time.

What are some other practical ways to stop burglaries?

I cannot afford a pet and maintenance that goes with it.

It seems like it's inevitable.

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  • RedFraggle
    RedFraggle Posts: 1,309 Forumite
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    JamesFuller wrote: »
    There is a high amount of immigrant, poor Eastern European population 3 or 4 miles from my area. I am not implying that is a cause, but it is a concern where they are known to ride without car number plates, leave homes in disarray and leave without paying rent and only here for a quick buck until next time.



    I cannot afford a pet and maintenance that goes with it.



    Then why mention it?


    Attack trained guard hamster perhaps
    Officially in a clique of idiots
  • hollydays
    hollydays Posts: 19,812 Forumite
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    JamesFuller wrote: »
    Hello all,

    Recently I heard there has been a string of burglaries in my area.

    I have always been vigilant doing things like:
    • Installing a home alarm (no CCTV or anything)
    • Checking everything door and window is locked every night
    • Following work men (e.g. plumbers) when they come to the house
    • When I can I try and see if there is any unusual activity / loiters in the visible radius from my house
    • Not leave many expensive things in the house


    There is a high amount of immigrant, poor Eastern European population 3 or 4 miles from my area. I am not implying that is a cause, but it is a concern where they are known to ride without car number plates, leave homes in disarray and leave without paying rent and only here for a quick buck until next time.

    What are some other practical ways to stop burglaries?

    I cannot afford a pet and maintenance that goes with it.

    It seems like it's inevitable.

    Where do get your information from
  • JamesFuller
    JamesFuller Posts: 85 Forumite
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    RedFraggle wrote: »
    Then why mention it?


    Attack trained guard hamster perhaps

    Because pick pocketing, and past burglars were of Eastern European background in this area.
  • Aylesbury_Duck
    Aylesbury_Duck Posts: 14,134 Forumite
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    Because pick pocketing, and past burglars were of Eastern European background in this area.
    So you are implying it then.

    Honestly, if you're going to make prejudicial remarks, at least have the courage to state them properly rather than dropping them in whilst simultaneously denying your true view.
  • RedFraggle
    RedFraggle Posts: 1,309 Forumite
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    hollydays wrote: »
    Where do get your information from

    The Daily Mail most likely, where they tar entire communities on the actions of the few and breed hatred and contempt!
    Officially in a clique of idiots
  • societys_child
    societys_child Posts: 7,110 Forumite
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    Do all you can to make next door look a better bet . . . (neighbours will love you)

    Alarm, security lights etc, sleeping policemen . .. .

    Oh maybe not sleeping policemen (or women) they're traffic calming I think . . .
  • Warwick_Hunt
    Warwick_Hunt Posts: 1,179 Forumite
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    JamesFuller wrote: »
    Because pick pocketing, and past burglars were of Eastern European background in this area.

    You're more likely to be burgled by home grown scum rather than EU nationals or tradesmen.

    So no need to bring your wrongly preconceived stereotypes here and make it racial.
  • hollydays
    hollydays Posts: 19,812 Forumite
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    JamesFuller wrote: »
    Because pick pocketing, and past burglars were of Eastern European background in this area.

    Well I can reassure you, your home will never be pick-pocketed..
  • theonlywayisup
    theonlywayisup Posts: 16,031 Forumite
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    As suggested somewhere up the thread, you need to make your neighbours' properties more appealing than yours (or yours less appealing than theirs).

    You don't say if you have a garden at the front/back. Do you have fences or high hedges, a locked gate or an alley?

    Is your home unoccupied during the daytime, is it obvious no one is home? If it is unoccupied at night do your lights come on with a timer or is the house dark?

    A little more info would help.
  • Silvertabby
    Silvertabby Posts: 9,065 Forumite
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    Do all you can to make next door look a better bet . . . (neighbours will love you) Posted by societys child

    That's not as daft as some people will think. When we bought a new crook lock for our car, we asked the salesman how effective it was. He replied that no crook lock was perfect - the idea was just to make your car 'too difficult' so the crooks would steal another car instead.
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