worrying about being broken into - am i just being paranoid?

loulou123

Hi, not sure if this is best place to post...

Basically me and hubby are going away for one night in next couple weeks and I'm worried our flat will be broken into whilst we are gone.

I suffer from OCD and this is one of my fears anyway, but we very rarely stay away over night due to pets.

We live in what is becoming a more and more dodgy area, in a ground floor flat, where the front door is down an unit alley way. There has been SO many places broken into during last couple of months, the police are now doing an hourly patrol day and night, but still more break ins.

Drug addicts/alcoholics are using our alley way at night, we have found syringes and empty bottles etc. Which makes the situation even worse.

As I've said we will only be away 24 hours, hubbys car will remain outside, lights are on timers etc, is there anything else we can do?

Our front door is weak point, as its wooden and a good kick would properly open it fairly easily.

Am I being paranoid or is my fear understandable??

PS - normally if we are away, my mum stays over, but she is ill and can't this time - no one else we can ask...

tanith

Its an understandable fear but you can't let it take over your life, breakins happen in broad daylight as well as the night , it could happen anytime and you can't be on guard 24/7 . You could leave a radio too but honestly go away and enjoy yourself you're letting the bad guys win by limiting your life because of what 'might' happen.

Maybe replacing the front door with something more secure would help , something to think about anyway

gonzo127

well you probably are being a little over sensitive, however if it is something your worried about how about looking at some extra security,

something like a shed alarm? they are usualy battery operated and can be picked up for under £20 and can either be a contact type or a motion sensor

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Friedland-Response-MA5-Single-Operated/dp/B000XA24VU/ref=sr_1_6?s=diy&ie=UTF8&qid=1338450916&sr=1-6

just have to consider the position of these movement sensor ones due to post coming through the door setting it of so a contact sensor one might be worth while

Hermia

I was broken into last year and went through a very paranoid time, but you really just have to live your life. The police did advise me to leave the radio on tuned to a talk radio station when I am out. They said if there are two places burglers can break into they are going to be wary of the property which might have someone in it. I was worried about disturbing the neighbours, but I found if I have the radio on low just by the front door it actually sounds like it's coming from further inside the flat. It does sound very much like the TV is on. I did have to play around with the volume until it sounded just right. It's a bit late now, but when you come back it might be worth you checking to see if the local police will come to your house and offer security advice. I would certainly think about a new door if it is your weak point, although it's worth getting advice from the police about this.

Ultimately you cannot allow it to upset your life. I remember not wanting to go out after the burglary, but I realised I was letting them win if I became a hermit.

pinkteapot

I understand your fear - I don't have OCD but I worry more than I should about things like this.

The main thing I would say is - it's only one night. It's extremely unlikely that anyone will realise the flat is empty when it's just one night. If you were away for a fortnight then someone could in theory notice that your lights are going on/off at the same times each day.

Are you friendly with any of your neighbours? If you are, you could mention to them that they'll be away and they'll keep an eye out for you.

duchy

I usually leave the radio on low (to LBC 24 hour news talk station) when I'm out as it gives the impression the house is occupied.

loulou123

Thank you all for your kind responses...forgot to mention we do have an alarm, which has the door bit on it, so if door opens it triggers and a motion sensor in kitchen (its a pet friendly one, so doesn't go off if cat walks under it!)

our next door neighbours moved out (so property is empty) and the rest of our neighbours are either very elderly or don't speak much English - wouldn't feel comfortable telling them we are away)

my main concern (and this sounds bit pathetic) is that our cat is a house cat (due to illness) and if someone broke in, and alarm went off, she would go out front door and get lost, I'm more worried about this scenario then any possessions being taken!

appreciate its only one night, but its as if these 'people' are watching everyone, as several people in road have been broken into when away for one night, or at work, I'm sure only reason we've been lucky so far, is that I work shifts, so no one could ever work out when I'm likely to be at home! At least half of the homes in my road have been effected since Xmas, its really beyond a joke.

police security checked every home quite recently, in was on their advice we got alarm,

tescobabe69

Maybe you should consder a more permanent move ? Like forever ?

jamespir

heres the thing you could do all the amazing super douper securtiy stuff you can think of ad still get broken into
you could also do noting and not get broken into


the best thing to do is do what you do normally and go and enjoy your weekend out

Seanymph

The stress of where you live is causing you to magnify things. Is there any way you can move to somewhere where you would be happier with your surroundings?

jumpedtheshark

loulou123 wrote: »

my main concern (and this sounds bit pathetic) is that our cat is a house cat (due to illness) and if someone broke in, and alarm went off, she would go out front door and get lost, I'm more worried about this scenario then any possessions being taken!

appreciate its only one night, but its as if these 'people' are watching everyone, as several people in road have been broken into when away for one night, or at work, I'm sure only reason we've been lucky so far, is that I work shifts, so no one could ever work out when I'm likely to be at home! At least half of the homes in my road have been effected since Xmas, its really beyond a joke.

police security checked every home quite recently, in was on their advice we got alarm,

Your concern about your cat doesn't sound pathetic at all. That's always my concern as regards my dogs because one of them needs medication twice a day.

I know you might think it expensive, but what about hiring a pet sitter for one night? It would be a good chance to road test someone for a larger trip, and you'd have peace of mind. There are some agencies (all fully insured, etc.). Ours was with an agency but is now independent, and he charges £38/day, everything included. Others might charge less but then add on for food, petrol, etc.

Otherwise, from your description of all the break-ins it sounds like the local druggies who are using nearby are also using the neighbourhood to get the cash to fund their fix.