Don’t give thieves an easy time!

A burglary occurs every 40 seconds in the UK so it is a crime that affects many people. Burglary is a forced entry into a residence for the purpose of committing a crime of theft. This can be a very emotional experience and annoying to find that you have been robbed. It’s not just that you might have lost valuable property but also that your private, personal space has been violated. The thought of someone in your home can be very distressing and feel like you’ve had a security breach. Some people blame themselves if they forgot to secure a door or window, or if they have been deceived by a distraction burglary but it is important to remember that it’s not your fault.

Image credit

There are steps you can take to make your property less attractive to thieves. Thieves are more likely to attempt theft at your home if:

You are away from home

You are at home, but asleep or distracted

After Christmas when the house is full of new and expensive gifts

A window or door was left open

Making your home safe is a top priority and there are various ways that you can achieve this:

After buying expensive new equipment, break up the boxes and put in your recycling so as not to leave large packaging hanging around outside your property.

Keep ladders out of sight

Do not leave the side gate open and check that they are locked and secure

Do not leave low-level windows open at night even during the summer

Leave some lights on or a radio when you go out

Check all doors and windows are locked before you go out

It’s important to feel comfortable and secure in your own home and if you suspect a key has been taken then you may want to get the locks changed. For Southend Locksmiths, visit a site like https://www.brights-locksmiths.co.uk/locksmiths-southend/

Image credit

This may sound obvious, but lock your door when you’re at home, and when you go out as this can stop opportunist thieves who steal valuables from your home if you’re out in the garden or in another room. A thief wants to get in and out of your home as soon as possible – do not make it easy for them by leaving valuables in plain sight. This applies especially to the car keys; Modern cars are nearly impossible to get into, but the keys are easy to steal.

If you are really worried, think about installing extra security, such as alarms, CCTV or security lighting. If there is a blaring alarm and space lit up like a stadium, thieves will not hang around long. Try not to leave keys in places that are obvious like under a door mat because many thieves will check here, as well as under potted plants to see if that’s what you’ve done.