UK homeowners are now facing high burglary rates, reaching over 180000 break-ins in England and Wales in recent years. Insurers note spikes in burglaries during summer and holiday periods, as around 25% of Brits say they were victims before.
So, learning how to deter burglars is now more critical than ever. For this purpose, more homeowners are adopting smart security. According to insurers, roughly 15% of owners use cameras, and 13% of them use video doorbells to protect their homes.
To improve their defense, we have compiled some of the best methods in this guide. Here, we will cover everything, from guard dogs to cameras and community watch, to deter intruders and protect your home. Read till the end for actionable pieces of advice for better security in the house.
Learn the Common Methods of Burglary
Burglars use various entry techniques to access your house. Understanding their methods is the first step to prevention. The list below describes five common ways thieves may break into your home:
- Door Forcing: Burglars often break in through doors, in nearly 76% of cases.They may jam crowbars or screwdrivers into the frame or even kick doors in.
- Cylinder Snapping or Drilling: Many thieves try to target the locks on the door by snapping out the cylinder. Some of them even try to drill through the lock to get access to your home. While learning how to prevent burglary, install anti-snap cylinders to avoid this common attack.
- Window Entry: Windows account for roughly 20% of burglaries. Implementing this method, burglars may smash glass or drill holes near latches to unlock them. Even unsecured or slightly open windows are invitations.
- Ladders for Upper Floors: Some burglars bring ladders or climb from lower roofs to upper floors. An unattended ladder or unsecured flat roofs give them access to upstairs windows. So, store ladders inside and secure loft hatches to prevent these entries.
Strengthen Your Home’s Physical Defenses
A strong physical barrier can stop many burglars. Each added obstacle, from fences to fortified locks, raises the intruder’s risk. Below are some proven physical measures to improve security in the house.
1. Guard Dogs
A barking dog is a proven deterrent, as research finds that most burglars avoid houses with dogs. Even a small dog can raise the alarm by barking, scaring the thief away.
On most of the community platforms like Reddit, homeowners accepted that they keep a pet partly to deter thieves. The risk of a dog attack or loud noise makes criminals think twice about a home with a canine guard.
2. Boundary and Perimeter Measures
Try to keep front boundaries as low as 1 meter, so you can see activity. On the contrary, high fences at the front give burglars cover. However, you need to use tall fencing at the sides and rear, ideally topped with anti-climb spikes.
UK homeowners can also consider gravel driveways, since footsteps crunch loudly and alert you. Together, these measures make sneaking into your home much harder.
3. Fortifying Doors and Windows
As mentioned, doors are targeted in 76% of burglaries, so they need the most defence. While learning how to deter burglars, explore the option of fitting strong deadbolts and anti-snap lock cylinders on every external door.
Also, consider reinforced door frames and hinges to resist prying. Windows also cause around 20% of entries, so always keep them locked. To add some extra security, a multipoint lock can help secure your house.
4. Secure Storage Options
Most burglars often raid sheds or garages first to find tools or spare keys. Always padlock these burglary points and anchor valuable outdoor items to fixed ground points.
Inside your house, store electronics and jewellery in a heavy safe. These steps make your home much less attractive by denying burglars the tools and valuables they seek.
Deploy Electronic Security Solutions to Deter Burglars
Physical barriers help, but tech adds another layer. Alarms, cameras, and lights can actively help you deter burglars even when you’re away. Go through this section to learn how to prevent burglary with technology.
1. Burglar Alarms
Such types of alarms make noise and attract attention, scaring away the thieves. Statistics show a visible alarm system deters about 60% of intruders.
For maximum effect, use a system with a loud siren and optional monitoring. In short, an active alarm is one of the simplest ways to stop a break-in.
2. Smart Cameras and Video Doorbells
For added security in the house, this equipment provides continuous video surveillance and instant alerts. Their visible presence deters many burglars, since criminals fear being recorded or exposed. Below are some related eufy products that enhance home security:
- eufyCam S3 Pro: This 4K wireless camera captures every detail with night vision to identify intruders even in the dark. Moreover, it connects to a secure HomeBase with 16GB of local storage, so you can keep it burglary-proof. With its all-day coverage, this camera acts as a strong visual deterrent that makes burglars think twice.
- SoloCam S340: Its dual lenses deliver sweeping 360° views, so nothing goes unnoticed. Furthermore, this camera has built-in AI to detect motion smartly. Thanks to its colour night vision and total coverage, it catches suspicious activity from every angle.
- Video Doorbell E340: With dual cameras, this doorbell keeps an eye on intruders. Surprisingly, this item has a Delivery Guard that helps prevent package theft. While learning how to deter burglars, install this doorbell to get real-time alerts to your phone to catch thieves in the act.
3. Lighting and Sensor Integration
To prevent burglary, motion-activated floodlights suddenly illuminate and expose burglars at night. One such security tool is eufy’s Floodlight Cam E340, which combines a 3K pan camera with a 2000-lumen LED floodlight.
It records continuously and automatically tracks people. When motion is detected, the lights blaze and the camera records, instantly scaring off intruders.
Beyond lighting, consider using additional security tech, such as eufy’s Home Alarm kit and add-on sensors. Any triggered sensor sets off the siren and sends instant alerts to your phone. Together, these lights and sensors ensure any breach is immediately noticed.
Create the Illusion of Occupancy to Prevent Burglary
Burglars often prefer empty homes, so you need to make your house look occupied. The simple tricks below create the illusion that someone is home for added security in the house.
- Timers on Lights and TV: You should schedule indoor lamps and TVs to turn on and off when you’re away. Such actions will give the impression that someone is operating lights or watching movies. Due to these efforts, thieves may avoid your home.
- Automated Away Scenes: In the eufy app, customise different security mode that may switch lights or other devices on and off at various times. This mimics someone’s schedule and makes your home look lived-in, further deterring burglars.
- Parked Car or Neighbor Help: Houseowners can ask a friend to park a car on their driveway to give the impression that somebody is visiting the house. They can even ask their neighbours to handle mail to suggest someone’s home.
Follow Community Engagement and Behavioural Tactics to Deter Burglars
Apart from using physical barriers and technology, a little help from outside will add extra security to your house. In this regard, stay in touch with neighbours and local police. Also, try to improve your routine to give burglars no chance at all.
Neighbourhood Watch and Police Schemes
- Neighbourhood Watch Groups: Join or start a watch scheme to connect with neighbours and local police. This practice will help the community keep an eye on each other’s streets. You can even share alerts when suspicious activity is spotted.
- Free Police Security Checks: Many local police forces offer free home security surveys. While exploring how to prevent burglary, take help from a crime-prevention officer. Such officers can inspect your house and suggest improvements at no charge.
Managing Social Media and Daily Routines
- Keep Travel Plans Private: Avoid advertising vacations or trips on social media, as it can give an open invitation to thieves. However, you can reveal holiday photos after you return home.
- Vary Your Routine: To mix things up, change the times you leave and return home. With this uncertain timing, burglars will fail to plan a fool-proof theft.
- Manage Keys: For added security in the house, never hide a spare key outside. Alternatively, hand over the keys to the trusted neighbour for emergency situations.
Common Distraction Burglary Methods and Tips to Avoid Such Instances
Some burglars use their brains instead of force to break into your house. Such intruders are harder to stop, as they pretend to be someone else to con you. Go through this section to learn about major distraction burglary methods and ways to prevent them.
- Utility or Council Impostor: Burglars may knock claiming to be from the council or a utility, to inspect gas leaks. They will even show you fake IDs to get easy access to your house.
- Requesting Help: Some thieves might ask to borrow a phone or a drink, claiming to be lost or injured. This friendly ploy diverts your attention and lowers your guard.
- False Emergency: A few invent a crisis, someone’s hurt nearby, to bypass the security in the house. The panic-pressure tactic causes victims to react quickly and let them in.
- Team Distraction: These burglars often operate in pairs to trick you more effectively. So, one distracts you at the door, while the other sneaks inside your home.
Preventing the Distraction Burglary
- To prevent burglary, always ask for official identification before letting someone into your house. When someone hands over the ID, call the company to verify their identity.
- Keep a door chain or latch engaged when speaking to strangers. Open the door only as far as the chain allows while inspecting.
- For scheduled visits, agree to an advance password with the utility company. Never let anyone in unless they know the password.
Conclusion
In summary, a layered defense is crucial to learn how to deter burglars. As discussed throughout, house owners will need strong fences and even a guard dog to block intruders. They can complement these measures with smart alarms and cameras to actively expose any attempts. For extra security in the house, they should engage with their community.
eufy’s ecosystem ties these measures together, as its 4K cameras and doorbells record every motion. Moreover, its motion-activated floodlights and alarm sensors signal intrusions instantly. So, every homeowner in the UK should install this integrated security system in their house to prevent every type of burglary.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most effective burglar deterrent?
Statistics indicate visible alarms and cameras are top deterrents, as they can scare off potential intruders. Moreover, according to community platforms, most burglars avoid houses with dogs.
What do burglars look for when choosing targets?
Burglars usually check for unlocked or weak entry points to get easy targets. Additionally, they also search for homes without alarms, dogs, or lights for barrier-free burglaries.
How can I make my home look occupied when away?
To make your home appear occupied, set lights on timers so rooms light up at varied hours. In addition, you can ask a neighbour to park in your driveway or collect mail.
When do most burglaries occur?
In the UK, most burglaries happen after dark. Reports show that most of the burglaries occur between 7 pm and midnight, with a peak around midnight.
