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.