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Burglars will do almost anything to avoid being detected when committing a crime.

Simply being heard or seen by a neighbour or passer-by is enough to send most opportunist burglars running as they don’t want to take the risk of being caught or identified.

There are many potential tactics that burglars might use to access a property without suspicion, including working in teams where one burglar will distract residents at the front door whilst their partner in crime raids the rest of the property.

Luckily, by taking note of a few pieces of simple advice on how to eliminate hiding places and improve your home security, you can significantly reduce the risk of your home being targeted by burglars.

Increase Visibility

There is a common misconception amongst many UK homeowners that hiding your property away behind high fences and vegetation is a good way to prevent burglars from targeting it.

In reality, however, the opposite is true, and these features actually just offer burglars plenty of cover to approach the property without being seen from the road.

If the alert is raised there are also plenty of hiding spots for an intruder to use and the chances of them being caught is much lower.

For this reason, it is best to keep your property visible from the main road with a 1m high maximum exterior fence at the front and taller fencing at the sides to prevent easy access.

A gravel driveway is another useful way to make it difficult for anyone to approach the property without being noticed.

Install Alarms

The sight of a burglar alarm system mounted high up on the front of your property is a powerful deterrent to burglars.

When installing a burglar alarm on your property it is vital that the box is placed well out of reach to prevent tampering and motion sensors are placed in the most effective places near entry points.

To ensure that your alarm is installed in the most effective way possible, it is worth using the services of a professional security firm who will have experience of how to install the most secure system.

Monitored or Unmonitored?

When choosing Intruder alarms Glasgow, you need to choose between a monitored or unmonitored system.

An unmonitored alarm once activated will sound a loud audio warning designed to alert residents, and neighbours, and scare off intruders.

Monitored alarms will have the additional benefit of triggering a live alarm response from a designated alarm company or keyholder who will be able to alert the police if required.

Install CCTV

CCTV is a multi-faceted security measure that is a valuable tool against burglars and other criminals.

A visible CCTV system on the exterior of your property will not only act as a visible deterrent to criminals but will also record them if a crime does take place.

Avoiding identification is the main goal of any burglar and CCTV simply poses too great a risk for most opportunist criminals, especially when so many homes nearby do not have the same level of protection.

There are some legal restrictions to the installation of CCTV, especially if your cameras record onto roads or other public property so ensure that you seek the advice of a professional installer before setting up your system.

You will also need to install signage, warning that CCTV is in operation on the site.

For maximum protection, you should choose a CCTV system that features smart technology such as low light recording, and motion detection, and can be monitored via a mobile app.

How to Avoid Distraction Burglary

Distraction burglars use a number of methods to access domestic properties, all of which involve pretending to be someone they are not.

Some of the tactics used by distraction burglars include:

• Impersonating utility companies, charity workers, or the council
• Pretending to be unwell and requesting assistance or a glass of water
• Claiming an emergency and requiring refuge in your home
• Working in teams with one distracting and one searching through your home

These are some of the best ways to avoid being the victim of distraction burglary:

• Identify who is at the door before opening fully, whether using a doorbell cam, door chain, or door viewer
• Always ask for ID and checking with companies/council before allowing tradesmen into your home
• Asking for exact visiting times from service companies so you know when to expect visitors
• Don’t be worried about making callers wait whilst you conduct checks – They won’t mind as long as they are legitimate.

Contact Central FS

For more information on home security from a BAFE accredited industry leading expert, or to arrange a home survey today, contact Central FS now on 0141 530 1244.

Vacant Properties, both Commercial and Residential, suffer a serious risk of vandalism, squatting, theft and illegal activity. Many criminals consider Vacant Properties to be both valuable and easy targets, and as such it’s vital if you are the owner of a Vacant property that you take the necessary steps to protect it. Prime Secure has been providing protection to Vacant Property for well over 20 years; this has given us a huge range of experience in handling the security of a wide range of both Commercial and Residential Void properties. In this article we’ll examine the problems of Vacant Property and how best to protect it.

What Risks Face Void Property

The most common issues (though far from the only issues that face a void property) include,

• Theft: Criminals often target Void Properties in search of copper fittings, lead, valuable metals and other fixtures, or any valuables that have not been removed. This can cause serious damage to a property; criminals will tear up walls, flooring and roofing in search of pipes, wire and other material. This can cause expensive to repair damage.

• Squatting: Squatters are one of the biggest issues facing Void Properties. Squatters frequently break into void or vacant properties, where they can prove incredibly difficult to remove. Due to differences in various legislation and laws between Commercial and Residential Properties, as well as a number of other legal matters, it can prove very difficult to see Squatters kicked out of a Void Property. They often engage in theft, vandalism, and their use of the property’s utilities can quickly rack up large bills.

• Arson: Arson and accidental fires are incredibly common in void properties (it’s been estimated 60% of fires in the UK occur in vacant properties). Vandals often start fires, and in other cases they result from long term degradation of the property, issues with utilities or weather damage. Fire damage is incredibly costly, and in worse

• Vandalism: Vandals often consider Vacant and Void Properties to be easy targets. They will smash windows, leave graffiti and cause other problems. The cost of this can be massive.

Another serious problem is that the crime committed in a Void Property can end up seriously impacting the surrounding community. Criminal activity in one area can encourage vandals to target neighbouring buildings, which can cause severe issues.

Protecting a Void Property

There are many ways you can protect a Void Property, however. With Prime Secure you can provide security for empty properties, no matter if it is residential or commercial, is kept safe.

CCTV

CCTV is by far one of the most effective defences for a Void Property, and for good reasons,

• Criminals, Vandals and Squatters will often not want to risk prosecution – which can be guaranteed by video evidence of them caught in the act
• CCTV systems can quickly alert you to intrusion and allow for you to respond as soon as possible, allowing you to resolve a serious problem before it starts
• Can help police not only catch but prosecute criminals

Prime Secure offers a dedicated CCTV Unit for Void or Vacant Property. With a sturdy, armoured shell and powerful camera, as well as audio alerts, it can do a huge amount to keep your property safe. It is designed to suit a host of different properties and sites and is quick to set up and install.

Alarms and Keyholding

Much like with CCTV, Alarms are a good deterrent. Their visible presence on a property is often enough to deter vandals and squatters, who know that a set off alarm will ensure a quick police or manned guarding response.

Prime Secure offers both Alarm and Keyholding Services. Keyholding is invaluable in that it means when an alarm is triggered, you do not need to go and put yourself into a difficult situation.

Manned Guarding

Manned Guarding is a superb deterrent. Criminals and Squatters will often avoid a visible, physical security presence like this for good reason; they are uninterested in being physically confronted and do not wish to have the police called on them. Manned Guarding can easily secure a large property and keep it safe from any squatters or vandals.

Prime Secure offers a comprehensive, professional manned guarding service backed by years of experience in the field. Our Manned Guarding Services are fully qualified by the SIA (Security Industry Authority), and they can handle a wide range of different (and difficult) situations on your behalf. Manned Guarding services from Prime Secure will ensure that you do not have to handle particularly difficult situations yourself as well.