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Home > Home & Garden > Articles > There s a lot of concern about burglary. But what are the facts

There s a lot of concern about burglary. But what are the facts

01:00 Mon 19th Mar 2001 | Home & Garden

A. Although burglary fell by 8 per cent during 1990-2000, that is no comfort to the thousands of people who lose valuables and have their property ransacked every year.

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Here are a few facts to bear in mind when thinking about how you could combat burglary.

  • 80 per cent of burglaries occur when the occupier is out
  • In around 30 per cent of cases the intruder does not force entry but simply enter the property through an unlocked door or open window
  • In two thirds of cases entry is via a window
  • Only two in ten burglaries are carried out by what police would term 'professional' burglars

Q. OK, what simple measures can I take to make my property more secure

A. In high-risk areas a burglar alarm is obviously highly desirable, if not essential. Depending on your area your insurance company may even demand one. The other measures insurers usually insist on is that all exit doors are fitted with a five-lever mortise deadlock conforming to British Standard 3621 and that all windows accessible from the ground or flat roofs have key -operated window locks.

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Locks and alarms are the obvious measures, but there are others that can make life difficult for burglars. An outside light or security light acts as a deterrent, as does planting a thorny hedge or climber, such as berberis or roses, around the boundary of your property. By the same token, make sure hedges are trimmed to a sensible height, not so low they can be easily climbed but not so high as to offer an intruder cover.

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For extra protection on main doors you can now get something called Secustrip, an anti-jemmy device, and there are common sense measures you can take such as not leaving ladders around and making sure you lock sheds and outhouses.

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Q. What precautions can you take if you are planning to go away

A. Ask a neighbour to keep an eye on your property, removing milk bottles and pushing mail and newspapers through the letter box.

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Timer switches which turn lights on and off at different times are always worthwhile, but particularly when you are away and it is worth leaving a radio on.

Tom Gard

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