Making your home difficult to break in to

[ono]

Any advice?

I have just bought a new build house on a new estate and have been experiencing a few issues/near misses with burglars. I live in a Cul De Sac but the houses which separate my house from the outside of the estate are all empty at the minute (some haven't sold yet).

So, last week my shed was broken into and my lawnmower was stolen. I've replaced the locks on my shed and have put carpet rods on top of the fence in an attempt to stop people climbing over (it's a 6 foot fence - i'm aware this could land me in trouble but it's a measure i'm taking in the interim while I come up with a better solution). Worth noting, my neighbours haven't moved in yet but don't have any kids or pets so there shouldn't be any issues with anybody or anything being accidentally injured - unless they're breaking in.

So last night (1 am), I heard one of the gates from the empty houses close so went to the window to see if anybody was there. There was a bloke in a black hoody and he literally just opened the patio door to the house. I called the police and within a few mins they arrived. The thief had tried to take the boiler out. We've spoken to neighbours and similar things have been happening to the other houses not in my immediate vicinity.

So, is there anything I can do or is there anything you would recommend to lessen the chances of a burglary? We all have single handle Patio Doors to the rear and i'm concerned at how easy the lock is to snap.

I've looked at Anti-Snap/Anti-Bump/Anti-Drill locks, motion sensors, alarm systems, lights which emulate a TV, Security Lights/Camera for the garden, but don't know what the most effective option would be.

Any advice would be appreciated? I literally know nothing about locks/alarms systems or CCTV. Cheers blues.

 

[Dave Ewing's Back 'eader]

A half-starved large dog?

 

[Mad Eyed Screamer]

 

[vonkeynotvenky]

Small yappy Dogs are what thieves hate, if a gnat farts in your back garden they go off like a siren.

 

[quiet_riot]

Doberman.

 

[Blue Llama]

Sheds are vulnerable because the hasp is usually held on with a few half inch screws. Change the screws for coach bolts with the flat head on the outside. Windows in sheds are easy to get through so screw them shut from the inside and to prevent entry by breaking the glass screw a piece of wood right across the window to halve the opening size if the glass is broken. For the house, several LED lamps on passive infra red detectors are great. Not as expensive to run as the old halogen ones. Dogs are not guaranteed as a solution. You don't know what the behavior is when you buy it and you cannot take it back. Also a copper once told me that most dogs respond positively to a generous burgler tossing them a chunk of meat.

 

[Two Gun Bob]

Infra red security lighting every where.They dont like the light.
Inexpensive yet effective.Security cameras and a burglar alarm.

It's amazing how many people wait to be burgererised before they take disisivive action.
Five lever locks wher ever ypou can fit them.
And as a previous posters have nentionesd a dog.They don't like dogs eh.

If all else fails

 

[blue b4 the moon]

Anti-bastard spikes on your fence but make sure to put signs up or you'll be the one in trouble.

 

[ono]

Sheds are vulnerable because the hasp is usually held on with a few half inch screws. Change the screws for coach bolts with the flat head on the outside. Windows in sheds are easy to get through so screw them shut from the inside and to prevent entry by breaking the glass screw a piece of wood right across the window to halve the opening size if the glass is broken. For the house, several LED lamps on passive infra red detectors are great. Not as expensive to run as the old halogen ones. Dogs are not guaranteed as a solution. You don't know what the behavior is when you buy it and you cannot take it back. Also a copper once told me that most dogs respond positively to a generous burgler tossing them a chunk of meat.

Forgot to mention i've got a little Chihuahua. Yappiest thing known to man. But she's also very soft so don't know what she would be like if somebody broke in. She sleeps upstairs and if i try put her downstairs she just scratches and barks all night to come upstairs. Cheers for all the advice.

 

[Deleted member 13905]

a heath robinson affair should do the trick.