It’s the moment every homeowner dreads. Your privacy violated, possessions stolen or damaged, and you have become another victim of burglary, but there is much you can do to prevent it.

As the burglars themselves have become more sophisticated so have methods designed to deter them. Even the Government is now throwing its lot behind the drive to stamp out this most vile crime which leaves its mark on the victim long after the event itself.

Your local police crime prevention specialists will be more than happy to give you advice but we thought we would cover a few things which you might like to consider for giving your home extra security.

On the whole burglary is an opportunist crime. The burglar selects his target because it offers him the best opportunity to carry out his crime undetected and with the fewest number of obstacles in his way. A building that presents itself as unoccupied and insecure is far more likely to be targeted that one which is properly secured.

There may be side gates open, accessible windows open, ladders left out, garden tools available to force entry, untrimmed hedges or high fences preventing natural surveillance, all are opportunities for a burglar.

There are classic tell-tale signs that occupants are not in. Milk bottles or parcels left on the doorstep, newspapers and mail in the letterbox, unlit houses after dark and all windows shut in hot weather are all useful indications to a potential burglar.

On dark winter days a simple light on a timer switch may be enough to deter the would-be thief. Light is the one thing most burglars are frightened of, so it’s better to burn a few pounds worth of electricity than risk losing thousands of pounds worth of possessions.

If you are going away for a long period consider buying several timer switches for different rooms and if you have a radio alarm with a timer, set it to play at different times. Sound too is a great deterrent to a burglar. Have a friend clear your letterbox or doorstep, inform the police how long you are away for and tell them who holds a key in an emergency.

If you don’t want to go to the expense of a burglar alarm, and it is a wise investment, consider a dummy box outside. Most burglars want an easy life, and although they may be confident that the box is not “live”, few will take the risk and move on to easier pickings. You can even buy dummy closed circuit television cameras now. They operate with a sensor which makes them move for a few minutes if someone is in the vicinity, again the thief will not stop to check if they are real but move on to the next opportunity.

Remember, remove the opportunity and you will likely prevent the burglary.

Not all burglars break into homes of course. Beware of bogus callers, especially in pairs or threes. One is usually designed to distract your attention while his accomplice can clear your hidden cash and valuables on the pretext of checking a window or roof which they are offering to repair. Use a door chain, a spy hole, or just simply look through the window to see if you recognise the caller. Due to justified adverse publicity there should be fewer crimes like this, but the elderly and infirm seem to be fair game for the low-life of the criminal fraternity. No matter how convincing they may sound, do not let them into your home until you are convinced they are who or what they say they are.

Door security is very important. A rim latch (Yale type) on its own is not sufficient for an external door. The door should be fitted with, preferably, a five-lever mortice deadlock, although insurance companies will accept a rim automatic deadlock; both must be to British Standard 3621 or the equivalent European Standard EN12209.

Remember that quality locks are only as strong as the doors and frames to which they are attached. So, go for a sturdy wooden door or a double glazed unit which invariably has its own suitable locking device built in.

Doors with glazed panels are inherently less secure than solid doors, but if you want to let the light in go for laminated glass which offers greater resistance to attack.

Don’t economise with the rear door either. The rear of your property is often the most vulnerable and if you have a garden or enclosed yard it makes it so much easier for the burglar to work undetected.

The types of door security are so numerous we advise you to call in an expert to assess your home’s needs, many companies will do this for nothing if they envisage getting your business, so shop around for your protection.

The same applies to the myriad of lighting and alarm systems which can be installed. The world of home security now has something for the smallest flat to the largest mansion, and whichever category you fall into, your home is your greatest asset in the world. Look after it as it looks after you!

Editor, Third Age.

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