Burglars attempted to enter my house

MountainDave2

Hi everyone,
A couple of weeks ago, burglars broke our front door. We were laying in bed but not asleep yet. All the lights were off. As soon as they realized someone was at home, they ran away. They broke the inner part of the front door (I will try to attach a picture). 

We live in a rental house. The landlord has since replaced the door. But the door is the same type as previous one. How can I secure this new door against any future burglaries? 
Thanks in advance.

MountainDave2

Attached is the photo. 

MountainDave2

They were not able to break the door lock (or maybe they didn't try). They just broke this inner part of the door (is it called inner frame?). It looks like they inserted metal rods (?screw bars) through the mail slot. I want to protect our new door. Your advice is appreciated.

FrankFalcon

That is simply a door PANEL in a door frame.  It's OK keep replacing the panel but it'll always be a problem...unless...They literally silicone the new panel in.  

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

Can't help with the door specifically but you can get anti bump, drill, etc, etc barrels 

https://www.trulypvc.com/products/yale-platinum-3-star-thumbturn-euro-cylinder-nickel?variant=48735352947027

Very easy to swap over + you can keep the existing barrel and put it back in if you ever move. 

Any security lights outside OP? 

I think if someone wants in they'll get in but the better the level of deterrent the more chance the toerags will move on to easier pickings. 

born_again

If it happens again get landlord to swap it out for a composite door. 

ThisIsWeird

Blimey - so that's just a large separate panel held in by clip-on beadings? And the bars they inserted were used to prise these away? Wow.
Any possibility of adding a cage or diverter to the inside of the letterbox to prevent a bar moving sideways to do this?
Or, mount an external letterbox and seal this one up?

FreeBear

born_again said:

If it happens again get landlord to swap it out for a composite door. 

Or if you want higher security -> https://www.lathamssteeldoors.co.uk/security-front-doors/

diveunderthebonnet

Also bear in mind the scum who tried to break in will try elsewhere as they will presume that you will be more alert and take more precautions ,they will go to another house that will be less trouble for them. 

DullGreyGuy

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head said:

Can't help with the door specifically but you can get anti bump, drill, etc, etc barrels 

https://www.trulypvc.com/products/yale-platinum-3-star-thumbturn-euro-cylinder-nickel?variant=48735352947027

Very easy to swap over + you can keep the existing barrel and put it back in if you ever move. 

Any security lights outside OP? 

I think if someone wants in they'll get in but the better the level of deterrent the more chance the toerags will move on to easier pickings. 

Stronger lock won't stop them popping the panel out plus being a thumbscrew its easy for them to unlock via the letterbox or by breaking the glass. Always bemuses me people paying for high security locks with zero security because of the thumbscrew which is even quicker to do than snapping off the lock. 

Eurolocks need to have the right length and split (front/back) as the door. Whilst the OP could switch it back the chances of a future door needing the identical size is fairly slim. 

UPVC doors are not great from a security perspective, some have panels that are held in my little more than beading, though others will have reinforcements. They are easy to cut, melt or kick in. Composite are normally a decent step up but are also much more expensive. Ultimately if someone wants in they can get in, most composites won't last more than a minute or two against someone with a large cement cutter (according to a former policeman who used to use them to gain access) 

Eldi_Dos

Hate to be a doom merchant OP but it could pay you to check that your contents insurance is valid with that style of door in place.
I am a great believer in having two or three timers about the house set to make the house look occupied and set till after midnight, so it looks like you are up and about even if you are in land of nod.