"what if they come back...?" - how likely is this really?

[joko]

whenever anyone has a break-in, they always panic and say "what if they come back?"

just curious as to how likely this is? i mean would you go back?

why would they? knowing the police, the family etc are aware they've been? and are probably on their guard

why would they risk it? if theyve been in once, and probably took what they wanted, isnt that likely to be enough?

obviously it happens sometimes, but to me it seems an unlikely thing to happen...

or am i wrong? any statistics?

cheers

[~Wingnut~]

I wouldn't go back but then I wouldn't want to hang about to see if they did come back either!! I guess it would depend on what they had done before they left and whether they needed to come back to finish the job off? Burglers I guess could get greedy and think they could come back for more before their crime has been discovered, how would they know someone has returned until they came back?

[looobylooo]

they say a burglar often returns because the unfortunate owners have replaced their fancy big screen tv and accompanying gadgets... so it makes a 2nd visit worth their while .... :o(

[~Wingnut~]

Ahh I was answering as if they may return before the occupants returned home and discovered the crime, but I see where your coming from looobyloo.

[karenmac60]

When I was broken into the police said it is very unusual for them to try again as it's usually a wake up call for the residents to beef up their security making it harder for the burglars. They are more likely to try a fresh target who is more lax about locking up etc.

[Wak]

As Looobylooo says, I believe the cheeky ones give you a few weeks to get the insurance money and replace the goodies depending upon the ease of entry.

[McMouse]

Opportunist burglars grab what's readily available but aren't usually experienced enough to open security cupboards or domestic safes. They pass the information onto other thieves who take the view that there's something really worth breaking in for.