Homes without basic security features are 5 times more likely to be burgled than homes with security. We are committed to reducing burglary in East Cambridgeshire and advise residents to follow these simple steps to reduce the chances of becoming a victim:
Locks
- lock doors, windows, side gates and outbuildings every time you leave your house, even if you are just out in the garden
- secure bikes by locking them to an immovable object inside a locked shed or garage
- store high value items, such as jewellery and passports, in a properly secured safe or bank vault
Lock snapping
Lock snapping is a burglary technique which involves snapping a particular type of lock cylinder in two by applying the right amount of force and removing the outside part to expose the locking mechanism.
Euro-cylinder locks are likely to be fitted to the majority of external doors in your property and some offenders have developed a way of overcoming them to then gain access. There are ways that you can reduce the opportunity for a Euro-cylinder burglary at your home:
- ensure the locks on your doors are tested and approved to SS312 Diamond Standard
- ensure locks and handles follow British Standards TS0007 (3 star cylinder, or 1 star cylinder and 2 star handles)
You can change cylinder locks yourself, but it is vital they are measured properly to ensure the right size for your door. They should not be fitted so that they are left protruding from the door unit or handle.
The best advice is to have them fitted by an accredited locksmith who is a member of the Master Locksmiths Association and consider obtaining more than one quote.
Hide items from view
- keep all keys out of sight and away from letterboxes
- keep ladders and tools stored away
- remove valuables from the view of ground floor windows
- at Christmas, do not leave presents where they can be seen through windows
- do not advertise expensive electrical item purchases by leaving the packaging out. Make sure your packaging is flattened and placed within your recycling bin, or take your flattened cardboard to your local waste recycling centre
Install home security
- install a visible burglar alarm
- have good outdoor lighting, or motion sensor security lights
- install CCTV or a video doorbell
- install a driveway alarm, which acts as a deterrent to protect your home perimeter
- plant spiky plants in vulnerable areas
Going away
When you leave your property for a long period of time, for example when you go on holiday, there are some extra precautions you can take to prevent your home from looking empty, such as:
- asking a trusted neighbour to keep an eye on your home
- think about subscribing to your local Neighbourhood Watch
- leaving radios or lights on, or on a timer, to make your home appear occupied
- avoiding posting holiday plans or movements on social media
- cancelling milk or newspaper deliveries before you go away to avoid a build-up
Secure your boundary
You may want to consider these options for safeguarding your property boundary:
- having high fences or hedges can be helpful as they reduce the visibility of what is in your garden and secure your garden from potential trespassing or burglary
- if you have a garden, pathway or driveway gate to access the back of your property, consider fitting locks, bolts or padlocks on the inside, towards the top and bottom for added security and to reduce the possibility of the locks being damaged to gain access
- having gravel around your property can help to prevent intruders as it is noisy to walk on
- place thorny shrubbery or plants around the top of perimeter fencing to deter intruders from climbing over, diamond shaped garden trellis fencing is difficult to climb and is good for placing thorny plants
- install Prikka-Strip panels on fencing or walls
- hedges, trees or shrubs in front boundaries should be 1m high or less, as these can give a burglar a screen to hide behind.
- side and rear boundaries should be a minimum of 1.8m in height. Planning permission may be needed for anything above 2m
- outdoor security lighting can help to intimidate a thief when it is dark as they do not want to be seen or recognised. Security lighting known as 'dusk till dawn' can be used to detect movement through heat and motion sensors. Try to place lights out of reach to avoid them being tampered with
Securing sheds, gardens and outbuildings
Items in your gardens, sheds and other outbuildings are usually more accessible to thieves. Alongside our advice to prevent your property being burgled, we also recommend that you protect any belongings kept outside your home:
- always ensure you lock your garage or shed and do not store any valuable items in there, unless you use appropriate safety measures
- store gardening equipment and tools in your shed, garden or other outbuilding, as burglars can use these to break into your home
- depending on the type of garage door you have, it is recommended you seek advice from a registered tradesperson or locksmith to ensure you have the correct locks or bolts for ultimate security, to reduce the possibility of a break-in
- side or rear garage doors can be secured with British Standard 5-lever mortice locks and two internal mortice rack bolts placed towards the top and bottom to reduce leverage points
- shed doors can be secured with two hasp and staple bolts for closed shackle padlocks to be attached to. Install the bolts with one towards the top and the other at the bottom to reduce leverage points. You could also replace the screws of the fixings with one-way clutch head screws to prevent them being tampered with
- windows to garages, sheds or outbuildings can be secured with internal diamond mesh-grilles, which provide a good visual obstacle to burglars
The Bobby Scheme
The Bobby Scheme is a charity in Cambridgeshire which offers security equipment and safety advice to those affected by burglary.
The scheme works alongside the police to provide free and immediate help for burglary victims who are elderly, disabled or at risk of domestic abuse.
For a small charge, the charity also offers security assessments to those who have not been the victim of crime, to reassure them and to help to prevent them from becoming a burglary victim.
For more information on what the scheme can offer, visit the Bobby Scheme website.
Home security websites
Please visit the following links for more information on home security:
Master Locksmith Association
Secured by Design
Sold Secure - security product testing and approval
Door and Hardware Federation
Immobilise.com - a free national facility that allows you to record your personal property. If a registered item is lost or stolen, it can be easily returned to you if it is recovered by the police.
