Back in December 2016, we published this post with a video of a convicted burglar revealing the tricks of the trade in the hope of encouraging homeowners to think more carefully about security.
The video from Essex Police, is no longer available but the parts we highlighted then are still relevant.
Read on for some effective, but often underestimated, tips on how to secure your home.
A burglar's tricks of the trade
For obvious reasons, the convicted burglar remained anonymous but he wasn't shy about revealing the drug-fueled past that spurred him on to break into numerous homes.
The key points he made were:
He burgled homes at night to avoid getting caught
Out of 20 homes, at least 3 or 4 would leave their doors unlocked
He never used to target specific homes, he just roamed the street until he came across a house that was easy to get into
If the doors were locked, he would leave the house alone
He would steal small valuables such as cash, jewellery or smart phones so that he didn't look suspicious when he left
The biggest give away as to whether your home is an easy target is if your car is left unlocked on the driveway
He even said that he was able to break into homes with alarm systems because homeowners often left them unset at night!
How to secure your home and prevent a break in
Now you know how a burglar thinks, follow the steps below so you are always one step ahead.
Always lock your car and ensure the windows are rolled up
Ensure that the windows and doors in your home are locked before going to bed
Leave valuables out of sight
Install security lighting so a burglar is under the spotlight if he is lurking in the garden
This blog post is provided for general information only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely. Call Blake's on 01702 447800 to speak to one of our professionals for specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
Although we make reasonable efforts to update the information on our site, we make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether express or implied, that the content on our site is accurate, complete or up to date.
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Beat the Burglar
Many people leave their homes vulnerable to burglars. Thankfully there are a number of simple, common sense things to put in place to keep the burglars OUT!
Read how installing an easy to use, reliable access control system allowed the reception staff to fully control entry to the entire building. It helped with the school's improved Ofsted rating too!
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