In comparison to other nations, the UK is a relatively safe place to live. However, there are, of course, some destinations across the country that are more susceptible to crimes and break ins than others. Typically, cities will have a high crime rate; however, this is not always the case. Small villages can also be vulnerable to burglary.
Areas of high crime should not necessarily be avoided, as by implementing a few simple safety measures you can help set up your home to protect you and your loved ones from burglary and break in.
The idea of somebody you don’t know having access to your home and belongings is a distressing thought. It doesn’t matter if you are in the house or not, you should not have to spend your time worrying about whether your house, belongings and loved ones are safe.
According to analysis by MoneySupermarket, as of January 2019, some of the top areas in the UK for burglaries and break in are as follows:
- Henley-in-Arden, Warwickshire
- Ingatestone, Essex
- Ilford, London
- Edinburgh
- Leeds
- Solihull, Birmingham
- Woking, Surrey
- Cheadle, Stoke on Trent
- Manchester
What are these statistics based on?
These statistics were analysed from two million home insurance quotes over the last two years, identifying the top postcodes with claims for home contents theft. As well as some rural spots, including small villages, some busy cities also make the top 10 including Edinburgh and Manchester. Bristol, Liverpool and Cambridge also ranked rather highly.
The various types of burglary
Burglary can take many forms, including:
Simple burglary – An individual entering your home without permission.
Aggravated burglary – When an individual gains unauthorized entry into a building with somebody inside, and the individual is in possession of a weapon.
Home invasion – A rarer crime, but still possible. A home invasion is a pre-meditated act that may involve force or violence to enter an establishment with intent.
Some burglars may focus on a set area or neighbourhood, and have methods of forced entry. As well as taking advantage of unlocked doors and windows, some will be happy to break windows and break down doors to gain access and take whatever they can.
Other criminals may be more specialised, will be more efficient and aim to leave no trace of forced entry to your home.
Your front door is often considered the most common entry point for thieves. For many, they may search for a spare key, or if a criminal knows you are not at home, they may simply force open your door. The secondary door in your home applies to side doors, garage doors and skylights. It is advised that you don’t neglect these entry points, as it could be easier for a burglar to gain access through these, particularly if there are items nearby to help them do the job.
So, what preventative measures can I take?
- Lock your doors and windows every time you leave your house. This may include when you’re out in the garden.
- Hide all keys out of sight and away from the letterbox. The letterbox is a common tool for burglars to use to help gain entry if they can. Typical methods are reaching in and grabbing nearby keys or turning the door lock.
- Leave radios or lights on when you are away from home to create the illusion that someone is home, or install timers for your lights.
- Make sure side gates and fences are in good condition. Ensure your garden gate has a solid and secure lock.
- Install outside light sensors.
- Install a home security CCTV system.
- Install a burglar alarm.
Home security systems are one of the easiest and safest ways to deter a criminal from targeting your home. Security measures could include:
- Smart Locks – These enable you to lock your doors using an app or key fob. This removes the need for a key and there are various types with models compatible with PVCu and Composite doors as well as timber doors.
- Alarms – Alarms are a steadfast and obvious deterrent for burglars. According to recent studies, 60% of burglars say they would be discouraged from targeting a house if they knew an alarm was installed.
- CCTV Installation – You can take your security measures one step further by installing CCTV that can be monitored from your smartphone, tablet or PC.
- Light timers – Making a house seem occupied through light timers is a simple way to deter burglars, who simply may not bother if they think somebody is in. Fake occupancy strategies are inexpensive and a practical way to prevent you from becoming an easy target.
Nobody wants to be a target for burglary. However, by being aware and implementing some simple security measures, you can rest assured in knowing that you have done all you can and will not be an easy target in any way for criminals.
No-one should ever be made to feel unsafe in their town or city, but they definitely should never feel in danger in their own home. If you want to protect your property, yourself and your loved ones, get in touch with us here at LockRite and see how we can help strengthen your home’s security.