How To Protect Your Home From Unwanted Visitors

'An Englishman's home is his castle', so the saying goes, yet often our cars are better protected against thieves than our homes. A recent Home Office report showed that households without any security devices such as window locks or intruder alarms are ten times more likely to be burgled than those with. However, the good news is that with a little effort and investment you can tighten up your home security. Here's how to protect your home from unwanted visitors...

Securing Windows and Doors
Your windows and doors are the most vulnerable part of your home. It's worth noting that over two thirds of burglars enter through a door and a third use a window to gain entry. The most obvious thing is to ensure that windows and doors are locked securely when you are not at home.

However, the majority of offences are by forced entry, so consider fitting deadlocks on doors and window locks where appropriate. Sash windows should be secured by fitting two pairs of sash stops to the upper frame. The lower pair locks the window shut but can be removed to allow a four-inch gap for ventilation and the upper pair will prevent the window being opened further. Sliding patio doors are particularly vulnerable as they can be levered off their tracks, so fit them with security bolts to stop lifting or forced entry. Fitting a letterbox cage or restrictor will prevent thieves from accessing the inside of your door and a door viewer is useful if you don't have obscured glazing on your door.

Top tips - For Securing Windows and Doors
· For standard doors, mortise locks should be upgraded to 5-lever tested to BS: 3621, usually a minimum insurance requirement, combine this with a BS: 3621 night latch
· Add security to door hinges with hinge bolts or security hinges, these are inexpensive and will support the door against force




Securing Your Garden
Your home should have a clearly defined boundary, a thorny hedge is a good deterrent against intruders and trellis fitted to the top of fences can make climbing very difficult. The rear and sides of your home can be secured with locked gates fencing at least two metres high. Gravel can also be used as an attractive and effective security measure. Burglars hate it because it is noisy to walk on. It is also worth investing in security lighting to make offenders feel vulnerable and exposed. Expensive tools, equipment and leisure items in your garage, garden or shed should be secured properly, particularly if your garage has a connecting door to the house. And don't forget to lock ladders away as you don't want to provide the intruder with any assistance!

Top tips - For Home Security When on Holiday
· 49% of burglars view empty houses as an easy target
· Use a timer when you are away, switched to turn lights on at night
· Cancel milk or newspaper deliveries
· Ask a neighbour to keep an eye on your home and remove any junk mail that can protrude from your letterbox
· Mark your belongings - etching or SmartWater makes it difficult for thieves to dispose of the property and could be used as vital evidence for prosecution
· Consider having a monitored intruder alarm fitted

Electronic Security - Intruder Alarms
An intruder or burglar alarm will enhance the security of your home and possessions and may even add value to your home. It may also reduce your insurance premiums. Crucially, 67% of intruders are put-off from burgling alarmed homes. If you are considering buying a burglar alarm, it is well worth getting some unbiased advice from your local police Crime Reduction Officer and always speak to your insurer first. Insurers may specify a particular system to be installed as a condition of your home insurance policy and non-compliance can reduce or even invalidate burglary cover.





A basic bells or sounder only alarm provides an intruder alert and is a useful deterrent although it won't achieve an automatic police response to an activation. In many cases a monitored alarm is the best option. These systems will signal to a monitoring centre that an activation has occurred and if this is confirmed as a potential break-in, the Police will be notified.

It is vital that intruder alarms are professionally installed and maintained. To avoid the pitfalls of hiring a 'cowboy', choose an installer with approval from an officially recognised inspection body, such as the National Security Inspectorate (NSI). All NSI approved company's employees must be security vetted. Details of your nearest NSI approved company can be found at www.nsi.org.uk.

Top Tips for Electronic Security
· Monitored intruder alarms will require a maintenance contract - make sure you have included this in your budget
· Always obtain at least three quotes
· Don't discuss your security requirements with telesales staff or door-step callers
· For Police crime prevention advice check out www.securedbydesign.com, a UK Police flagship initiative owned by the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO)
· Use an NSI NACOSS Gold or Silver Systems approved company
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