Security red flags?

bflare

I decided to buy my first house after my Dad passed away in February & he left me some money which is enough for a deposit. I have full custody of my Son & I thought it would be an ideal opportunity to give us both some security. I have had an offer accepted on a 2 bed mid terrace house in what I consider to be a nice area. I viewed another house before this one but this one really caught my eye. 

The house appears to have been built in the mid 80's according to a home buyers survey which was completed last week. I have posted here previously regarding the electrics which were flagged up in the report. In that thread, I mentioned that the vendor appears to have had an updated burglar alarm fitted. Someone said that that could be a red flag & I should check the crime stats which I have done & specifically for burglaries. It appears that there was a burglary in the same street in June 2019 & September 2018. This has got me thinking whether this is the reason why the vendor is selling & maybe it was his house that was burgled. They also have had a front & back CCTV fitted which the EA was quick enough to tell me about. The CCTV & updated burglar alarm look to have been fitted not long since. The surveyor did ask the vendor why he was selling & he said he wouldn't have moved but he is in a new relationship & they are looking to put both salaries together & jointly buy. 

I have been thinking about the security of the property & any weaknesses. The lounge is at the back & has french sliding doors which lead into a conservatory which was built in 2005. I am not sure what the locks are like but I would want some anti-snap cylinders in there with toughened handles. The conservatory leads onto a small garden which has a 6-foot brick wall & a locked gate. The house is at the end of a culdesac & has a car park at the back which leads to the garden. The garden is not overlooked by any other house & behind the garden is a leafy aspect leading onto a ginnel. The windows at the front appear to be externally glazed which worries me a little. The owners did have dogs which I believe were kept in the conservatory on a night & through the day. I am not too sure if the conservatory has internal or external glazing. There appears to be front & back sensor lights. Not sure if they are working but if not I would have some more installed. I was told that as part of the conveyancing they would ask the vendors about any burglaries at the property & they are supposed to disclose by law. 

Would any of this put you off or is it just me being slightly paranoid? The house did have a burglar alarm so maybe the old one packed up & they decided to replace & have some cameras fitted at the same time? 

user1977

Paranoid, I think. Besides, if the house has more obvious and elaborate security than the neighbours, who is going to be burgled next?

bflare

user1977 said:

Paranoid, I think. Besides, if the house has more obvious and elaborate security than the neighbours, who is going to be burgled next?

Yes I think you're right and as you say I should probably look at the CCTV as a plus.

AFF8879

All else being equal, 2 burglaries on the street in over three years wouldn’t put me off in the slightest. They could easily be minor/isolated incidents, and when I think of streets in areas with a “bad” reputation I can imagine there must be at least 1-2 break ins a month.

bflare

AFF8879 said:

All else being equal, 2 burglaries on the street in over three years wouldn’t put me off in the slightest. They could easily be minor/isolated incidents, and when I think of streets in areas with a “bad” reputation I can imagine there must be at least 1-2 break ins a month.

Yes true. I did compare the post code against an area that I lived in previously and there were way more burglaries. As you say the stats don't give the full story. They could have been an opportunist theft via an open door or window. 

Slithery

bflare said:
It appears that there was a burglary in the same street in June 2019 & September 2018.

So well below the national average then.
You're over thinking things.

MaryNB

Have a look at the crime stats where you currently live. When I was viewing properties I initially thought they were on terrible streets, until I looked at the stats where I lived then and realised how oblivious I was to most incidents. 

I'm in an end terrace house so a bit more vulnerable than my neighbours. One of the first things I did was get the broken burglar alarm replaced. I installed a ring doorbell and a camera out the back. Home CCTV can be pretty cheap so it's not too much of an undertaking to get it installed so wouldn't read too much into it.

I did have someone try to burgle me in July (he walked off once he realised the back door was locked). Thanks to the cameras I put in I have him on CCTV so clearly that I can nearly count the hairs on his chin. He's due in crown court in a month.  He was caught on loads of doorbell cams in the area around the same time. Not uncommon to have CCTV these days. 

I didn't specifically ask about burglaries when I bought the house. I was chatting to the seller after I moved in when he came to pick up an incorrectly delivered package. He said the house was never burgled, just his van. Neighbour later told me that burglars once broke down the back door to get in so seller was lying, even though it didn't make a difference at that stage. By the time I found out I had already replaced the wooden front and back doors with composite doors so didn't concern me. 

bouicca21

Think about the kind of burglar who would target your house.  Is the sort of place that looks as though you have expensive diamond jewellery and wads of cash scattered about?  If not then properties in your area are probably only going to be targeted by not particularly skilled small fry opportunists.  When they see you have a burglar alarm they’ll go elsewhere.

NQManchester

A policeman friend (and may be just anecdotal) said cul de sacs tend to get burgled less because it’s harder to escape if the police turn up. 

bflare

bouicca21 said:

Think about the kind of burglar who would target your house.  Is the sort of place that looks as though you have expensive diamond jewellery and wads of cash scattered about?  If not then properties in your area are probably only going to be targeted by not particularly skilled small fry opportunists.  When they see you have a burglar alarm they’ll go elsewhere.

I have very little of value, to be honest. Think my 14 year old Son has more valuables than me in his bedroom with all his gadgets! But no my place will most definitely look like i have much of value. 

bflare

NQManchester said:

A policeman friend (and may be just anecdotal) said cul de sacs tend to get burgled less because it’s harder to escape if the police turn up. 

Ah never thought of that thanks.