House was broken into - which security?

Lu_Lu

On Monday night our house was broken into just after we'd gone to sleep so we disturbed them and they didn't take anything but have caused a bit of damage we now have to sort that out.

Apart from the understandable feelings of anxiety and not feeling safe in my own home anymore, which I am hopeful will eventually dissipate, we have been researching security solutions frantically.

I have a friend who works for an alarm company so I am waiting for him to come back to me about any alarm related recommendations, but we've also been looking at security lights and CCTV and also anti snap locks.

There is too much to choose from and were not sure whether we should go for everything or not to overkill it. Our house is a small 3 bed semi with small drive no garage and an ok sized back garden. They got in through the back so that's the main area that needs more protecting.

We also need to replace the patio door and the glazier who sorted it yesterday is going to give us a quote.

One of the things that concerns me about CCTV and security lights are the wires/ electrics needed to hook these up so I have been looking at wireless options.

Sorry to rant on but I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations on whether we should go for the whole shebang or be selective and what might be good wireless options?

I think I'm still in a bit too much shock to think about it in detail.

Reece_

So was the break in via the patio doors? are they sliding upvc type?
Personally if it were me, after having a break in I'd do whatever was financially viable to beef up security, at the end of the day, you'll never truly stop someone being able to break in, all you can do is deter them as much as possible so they move on to the next house.
I'd definitely sort out some new decent euro lock barrels if your current ones aren't anti snap and bump as they're just a massive weak point.
I'd personally then prioritise cctv over an alarm system, a lot of burglars aren't massively fazed by alarms and will just grab whatever they can in a few minutes whist it goes off, atleast with cctv you may have a chance of catching them if they're stupid enough to show their faces.
Again though if possible I'd still put in an alarm as an extra deterrent.

My main thing first would be beefing up all locks and adding extra ones where possible, and obviously you'll need to address how they got in the back garden.

HHarry

After we got burgaled I put an alarm in, when they came back 9 months later, they set it off and disappeared quickly without taking anything. In my mind the alarm was worth every penny.

After the second attempt they left behind their tools, but despite a DNA match, there 'wasn't enough evidence' to prosecute. I've since installed CCTV, so that we stand a chance of actually prosecuting someone if they decide to come back again.

Wireless alarms have their supporters and detractors - but get it installed by a reputable company, have it serviced, and most importantly use it, and you should be OK.

That feeling of violation is horrible, and whilst it never goes away completely, it does fade with time.

wealdroam

OP, most police forces will have home security advice.

For example, here is Hampshire Constabulary's offering.

Other forces use a different approach.
E.g. Hertfordshire's: https://www.herts.police.uk/advice/crime_prevention/herts_home_security_service.aspx

See what's available in your area.

Lu_Lu

Thanks all. We are going to do everything we can. I have been doing some hard core budgeting and will have to raid the ISA but I'd rather feel safe.

The patio doors are older and clearly need replacing but we will prioritise locks - there are a lot of options are they all about the same?

They got in the garden through our neighbours. They came through neighbours gate and over their garden, popped up the fence panel and snuck underneath. The broke our decking fencing when legging it back over too. Otherwise no way of getting into our garden so I was thinking of putting some anti vandal paint or something on the fencing too.

I'm off to look at the police website too thank you.

mrs_baggins

I am sorry to hear of your troubles. I live by myself and have for years and although crime in my area is low I have always had an alarm and have recently installed cctv. The cctv was a diy 4 camera kit from Maplins recently and cost about £300. I have my alarm set up so it texts me if it goes off and the cctv is set on motion detect and I can log in through the Internet so I can see what is happening. Maybe it's not enough to actually recognise a total random stranger as it does not have zoom but it gives me piece of mind. I cannot even screw a screw in but bribed a friend to install it with me. My house is fairly strange and I wanted the cctv base point in the loft and it did take a few hours to get cameras up but now I can watch live or go over anthing that was recorded so I am happy. Mail me if you need any info . Hope you get things sorted

benson1980

I would prioritise alarm over CCTV in terms of an effective deterrent. CCTV-wise, this does deter to a degree but offender(s) can just put a hood up and know that they're not going to be recognised. Alarms however they wouldn't like hence why in HHarrys case they legged it straight away and probably won't come back- they will look for an easier house to burgle. Sounds like you are on top of looking at the ingress route.

MrTyo

Depending on your area some police areas will do home security assessments. With all the cuts this may have stopped in your area, but with contacting/checking if you are concerned. If you Google secured by design they are home office approved security measures. Whilst they are approved it doesn't stop you using that for ideas and looking at cheaper alternatives. For my home security i found stuff on Amazon quite cheap that deters. As already mentioned it's not about turning your house into a prison it's just making sure your house is harder to get into than others, and that you don't attract attention, I.e valuables on easy view etc. If they got in the back how did they get in the garden? Secure the access points then consider cheap trellis around the top of fencing etc. Would you want to climb a fence that could potentially snap and injure yourself/leave DNA (regardless of DNA issues in some cases it would still deter criminals) . there are more official deterrents like prikka strip but when I researched them the smaller ones didn't inspire me as I wouldn't be afraid to climb over them, where as a high fence with weak trellis I wouldn't risk . sounds weird but just look at your house and think how would you break in. If you can see something obvious then fix it.

I_have_spoken

They got in the garden through our neighbours....

TBH thats sounds like a lot of effort only to be disturbed by finding you in, so not an opportunist crack-head.

I wonder if they had been misinformed there was something of value in your house and got the details/address wrong?

Lu_Lu

I_have_spoken wrote: »

TBH thats sounds like a lot of effort only to be disturbed by finding you in, so not an opportunist crack-head.

I wonder if they had been misinformed there was something of value in your house and got the details/address wrong?

I really hope this isn't the case as it doesn't help but fuel my anxiety that they will come back!

We (and the police) think they were after the car keys as we have an audi in the drive and they are the flavour of the month round here but I do keep panicking that they have been watching us.

Believe me we have nothing of real value except the car and keys are always hidden.

ohreally

Get a dog.