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How Secure is your Community

Criminal Intent: What the Burglar Don't Want You to Know

WINDOWS
Louvre windows are very vulnerable to thieves because they can remove the slats from the frame. To stop this, glue the slats into place, or even better still, replace the window with fixed glass.
A burglar can get through any space larger than a human head, so fit locks to skylight and fanlights.

If you are replacing glass in downstairs windows, consider using laminated glass which is much harder to break.

DOORS

Glass panels around doors are especially vulnerable, so replace them with laminated glass or you can buy a special film that will do the same thing.

Wooden doors need solid frames at least 44mm (13/4") thick to be effective.
Mortise bolts to the top and bottom of all outside doors significantly strengthen your protection.

Sliding patio door should have anti-lift devices fitted to the top and bottom to stop them being lifted off from the outside. A shock alarm will also be very effective to deter burglars.

Keys

When you move house, change the locks on all of your doors. You never know who has been given keys by the previous owner. You can buy replacement cylinders which can reduce the cost of purchase.

Never leave your house or car keys near a door or window. Thieves often steal these by using a fishing rod or magnet through the letterbox. A visor guard is a good idea to prevent this happening.
Decide on a hidden safe place for your keys and know where you can find them in an emergency.

If you are going away

Cancel all deliveries and cut the lawn (in summer!) before you go.

Try and get a neighbour to keep an eye on your home while you are away and make it look lived in (draw curtains etc)

Keep valuables locked away in a small safe – hidden away.

Don't put your home address on your luggage labels.
Getting in round the back

Make it as hard as possible for intruders to easily get to the back and sides of your home. Fix holes in fences, grow thorny hedges. We use a excellent new product called Prikka Strip - Prikka-Strip The Cat And Intruder Excluder - 4m Packs From Under £10!.

Don't let hedges grow so high that a burglar can work unseen and undetected.

Burglars don't like gravel as its very noisy when walked upon.

Prevent burglars easily climbing over walls.

Be Prepared!

Mark all your valuable belongings with your post code and no. of you house or first two letters of its name, with an ultraviolet pen.

Take pictures of all your valuable objects and note the make, model and serial number where applicable.

Do not leave the boxes of new equipment you have just bought outside your home.

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