How to Deter Burglars - 9 Tips to Secure Your Home
Learn how to deter burglars with our 9 tips to secure your home. We’re going to share with you the top 5 things that deter burglars - as told by burglars! Plus, we’ll give you plenty of tips so you can assess your home security.
Unfortunately, it's easy to become complacent and this can make your home an easy target for criminals. However, improving your home security and bringing awareness to this issue can make burglars’ lives more difficult. We want your home to become such a hard target that they go elsewhere.
Understanding burglary patterns
In the year ending March 2023, there were 191,490 police-recorded home burglaries according to the Crime Survey for England and Wales.
According to the Office for National Statistics:
Houses in urban areas are more likely to be victims of burglary, than rural areas
Young people (age 16 to 24) are more likely to be victims of burglary
Single parent households are more likely to be victims of burglary.
Common tactics
Most burglars enter through a door (around 70%)
30% enter through a window
In around 50% of burglaries, someone was at home
It is a 50/50 split between the burglars being known to the victim vs. being strangers.
Peak burglary times
Around 70% of burglaries take place during the week
Approximately two-fifths of domestic burglaries in dwellings take place during the morning or afternoon (6am to 6pm)
Three-fifths take place during the evening or night (6pm to 6am)
What burglars steal
Purses, wallets and money are the most frequently stolen items
Jewellery and watches, computer equipment and other electronics are also being commonly stolen
Increasingly burglars are breaking into houses to steal the keys for your car.
How to deter burglars
The first thing you need to do is think like a criminal - if you were targeting your home what are the weaknesses?
Let's hear from ex-burglars how to deter burglars!
Top 5 Things That Deter Burglars
Taken from a survey of ex-burglars.
Burglar Alarm System
71% said a burglar alarm system would deter them
Do you have one?
Do you use it?
Have you had it serviced?
Do you turn it on at night or just when you go out?
Is it linked up to a security response unit?
2. A dog in the home
71% said having a dog in the home would deter them
Dogs are a great early warning system, especially if they sleep downstairs
Plus, if they are loose in the house they can cause problems for an intruder.
3. People in the property
52% said people in the property
This is quite concerning as it means that half of the intruders would be willing to enter your property with you in it
4. Surveillance cameras (CCTV)
46% said they would be deterred if there was CCTV
Do you have CCTV?
Is the CCTV monitored by a security firm or police?
How often do you check it?
Is it recorded?
What is the time loop before it is recorded over?
5. Motion-activated lighting
21% said outdoor sensors and lights would put them off
Do you have motion-activated lighting?
If yes, make sure your outside lights are working
We recommend a combination of low-level continuous lighting and bright sensor floodlights so there is nowhere to hide
Have you got all five of those?
Yes, great!
No, take action to secure your home.
more tips to prevent burglaries
You’ve heard from ex-burglars about the 5 things that would put them off breaking into your home, but there’s still more you can do. Are you ready for more tips on how to deter burglars?
Let’s go.
6. Fortify entry points
Think about entry-point reinforcement - where could a burglar enter your home and how can you secure it
Upgrade your doors, ensure you have double locks and internal bolts
Ensure doors have motion sensors that beep when they are opened
Upgrade your windows, close and lock them every night and when you go out
Install blinds on all windows
If you don't have CCTV and don't want to get it, try a Ring doorbell
7. Landscaping for security
Assess your perimeters and landscaping for security
Install high fences and a spiky hedge around the perimeter (depending on the size and location of your house, you may want to have low fencing at the front so there is nowhere for an intruder to hide)
Consider anti-climb spikes and anti-climb paint on your fencing (you will need to display a sign warning of the spikes)
Gravel paths and gravelled areas around the house create noise and can be off-putting.
8. Neighbourhood watch and community engagement
Build a strong network with your neighbours and community
Look out for each other and share safety tips or concerns with them.
9. don’t share information online
And finally, and this is a biggie, don't advertise yourself, your home and your possessions on social media.
It's not nice to think about but criminals are watching you. Telling them where you are going, what expensive belongings you have and showing them what your house is like makes their job easier.
When posting on socials, try to post after a night out or holiday and make sure it is clear you are now home, and try to avoid photos that identify where you live.
Be selective about the information you share, blurring out anything you don't want people to see.
WANT MORE ADVICE AND SUPPORT?
We hope these tips on how to deter burglars have been helpful and you can make small changes to your home to stay safer.
Here are links to more information:
Our short online course that you can enrol on to explore these tips in more detail.
We also have in-depth online courses on violence prevention and self defence - so you can gain the knowledge and techniques to keep yourself and your loved ones safer.
Alternatively, we can provide in-person training at your business, school, community group or private 1-2-1 sessions. We also train worldwide via Zoom. Enquire through the link above and we can discuss your requirements.