Safe Luxury

How do I make my home safe and protect it against burglars?

Today my house got broken into, the came thru the front door, it was locked but they managed to break the lock, it was in broad daylight (3pm) and the burglar alarm went off. The got a lot of cash (for various reasons we had a lot of cash in the house), 4 cameras (I live with other flatmates) and tobacco and alcohol and some other things (but they left all the expensive computers & consoles). They also trashed the place, every drawer in the house was open. What can I do to minimise the chance of it happening again (we already fitted a better lock). Although I would like to spend lots of money on security, I just don't have it, what can I do that's cheap? (£1000 cctv is not an option). What made the burglar decide to pick my house? Why did my house look easy? I've read about "beware of the dog" signs, which i'll definately be buying, but is there anything else I can do? I'll also be buying a safe when i've raised enough money. Any tips or links please? I'm worried they'll come back. Forgot to mention, I can't actually get a real live dog because I'm allergic. And yes I'm in England, still waiting for the police 14 hours after I called them. I'm also female and wondering what kind of self defense I can use in case it happens again.

Public Comments

1. move away from liverpool
2. gun control freaks are glad that you did not shoot the criminal because he was a misunderstood child who had a rough life and should have got a hug for recognizing communal property.
3. Put a heavier gauge door with heavy duty deadbolt locks on it is about the best you can do (since you live in England and guns are not allowed). another option is to keep all your valuables inside a safe (you can make a "concelaed Safe" using a hollowed out book and put it in the bottom of the bookshelf; same goes with buying a hideaway safe made from a soda can or even making a hideaway safe using a false electrical outlet in the wall; who will be looking for money in an electrical socket?
4. these people are terrified if there i a dog on the premises, and usually give a wide berth where there is a dog.
5. Hire security guards or put electric fence around your house, anyone tried to get pass will be fried like hell.
6. Landmines, barbed wire, anti-personnel dogs, etc...
7. Watch To Catch A Thief on TLC ( I think) Anyways its a show where to ex thieves break into peoples house (with their permission) and show them video footage of how they break in without anyone noticing and rob them blind in under ten minutes and then show them how to fix their security issues. Its crazy but very informative. Check it out and please feel better!
8. Perhaps a PresaCanario would deter them. P.S. Don't forget to walk him or he might get pissed.
9. I assume the alarm was not monitored & didn't call the police. Other good deterrents are; - a dog with a big bark - leave your stereo on with some angry sounding punk or metal music when you aren't home. - Buy cheap "dummy" cameras and install them in conspicuous places, (ideally outside). - better locks. - entry doors that swing out, not in, (they are harder to kick in). It almost sounds like it was someone who knew that the alarm was local only and that there was cash around, (use the bank and beware the flatmates). good luck
10. Change your locks and install something which your locksmith can advise you about. You need at least two mortise lox on your front door. You can also buy a device which makes the sound of a large dog barking which comes on whenever anyone pushes against your front door. It hangs on the inside of the door and when it wobbles it barks.
11. Here's what happened. One of your flatmates robbed you. Trashed the place to give the appearance of a burglar rifling through everything. Probably didn't have anything valuable of theirs broken but empathized with you by saying they also had things stolen. This scum then broke the door lock to continue the ruse. A real Burglar only needs to check certain areas, not every drawer in the house. A real burglar will go to the drawer next to your bed, your dresser, the freezer, under your couch, in the shoes in your closet and in the pockets of clothes in your closet. Maybe i missed a spot or two. OR your landlord has a teen age kid that has friends and they aren't yet accomplished criminals. So either a flatmate or your landlords kid and his friends. Not a pro. Good luck.
12. My house was broken in to about 4 years ago it happen three times in one month and the police still has not done anything about it at all but now that I have a 120lb Germany Shepard since then my house never got broken in to yet.three months ago someone was trying to come in my window and did not make it.Buying my dog was the best thing
13. Contact you local police station and speak to the crime prevention officer. They will attend your address free of charge and advise you of the best way to secure your property. In some cases they will even offer free locks and other security options.