Fucking Burglars!

[WhoseGotMyEyebrows]

My dad has just been burgled for the 5th time in about 6 months! Does anyone have any ideas on what to do?

We have an idea of who is doing it but absolutely no proof. Each time the police come round, look for fingerprints, offer advice on security and that's that. He's had a local crime prevention person round but that hasn't helped either as each time he improves security they get in another way. It's like he's being victimised (possibly is if we are correct about who is doing it) and I don't know how to help him. He is getting older and I am really worried that he is going to disturb them one time or they will break in when he is home and he will get killed. I actually think the stress alone could kill him.

I was thinking of surveillance cameras but discrete one's. It would be fine to deter them but ideally I want to catch the fuckers.

Does anyone know anything about this? (need to keep costs fairly low)

How are they getting in? CCTV is good but if they are changing the way they get in then it may be hard. It sounds like they are seeing him as a soft target. What sometimes happens is they return a few weeks later and take whatever the insurance company has replaced. Is he using smart water? Lights? Window locks?

Thanks for your reply. I don't know what smart water is.

The first time they got in the front door, next time the back door, this time the window and I can't remember the others.

They have changed locks, put in better one's, window locks, bolts, trellis, security light around the back (although they mainly break in during the day), timed light thingy.

They have so far taken cash, a laptop, jewellery, bike, trainers, also very sentimental things etc.

It's a special dye that's individual to that house. It leaves a stain on the clothes/skin of anyone who comes into contact with it. CCTV would be a good idea, or getting a bloody big dog.

How does it work? Where do you put it?

Would suggest the dog but he has cats!

The police can sort it out. I think it's put on anything they nick. I'd move the cats somewhere else and get a dog. Were the Police any help? Is there a neighbourhood watch scheme?

My dad wouldn't give up the cats. They are his company and were my mums (she died) so he's very attached to them. He's not a dog man.

So do you have to paint all your possessions with the dye? What about the cash?

Not sure about NWS. There was one some years ago but I don't know about now.

The police found a fingerprint but it may be my dads.

No, not the cash. I'm not sure what they use it on so it may be helpful to speak to the police. Is he keeping all of his windows locked? Are they getting in when he's out?

What a horrible thing to have happened to your father. Suggest Home Office guide to what works in preventing domestic burglary as good evidence-based information on what can be done.

As regards the police, your father is now classified as a repeat victim and should therefore be given more support. From memory this is a key performance measure for the police, as is domestic burglary.

Burglary patterns are often as you describe with areas (hot spots) being hit repeatedly. One reason for this is that the intruder(s) know the layout of houses, their access points and escape routes so feel more comfortable than moving to a new area or house type. Ask the police of they are monitoring hot spots in the area, and if so what the analysis is showing. This may give you an insight into whether it is a personal, targeted event, or just reflective of the area.

I really hope that this does not happen again. Being a victim of crime is as horrible experience. Victim support should have contacted your father by now to offer help if needed.

Yes he keeps them locked. This latest time they forced the window. Yes they get in when he's at work, although he works odd days and shifts so they must be watching or something.

Yourefired Will look into the home office guide. Don't think victim support have been in touch. I think they sent round a crime prevention person but obviously that hasn't solved the problem. You mention asking the police some things but would they talk to me about that if I called the station?

Is there someone who can stay in the house when he's at work?

Poor man , i would get him CCTV (it doesn't cost a fortune), also he could get a 'beware of the dog' sign (to give people the impression he has a dog), he could even have a cd on repeat of a dog barking every few minutes. Oh and we have a dog that gets on great with the cat. I do think the CCTV is his best option.

Does your dad have any paperwork from the police? This should contain information on who to contact. If not and you just want to take forward on his behalf I would ring your local station, number should be available in local directory, during office hours and discuss with them who best to talk to, stress that this is repeat victimisation. Contact victim support direct for their services.

belle There is someone who goes to the house some days but they work as well so not always there.

Marne The dog sign would possibly not work as I believe that the people who are doing it live very close to him and so know he doesn't have a dog, although the dog barking noise might make them think he does (they would probably get suspicious after a while when they don't see him out walking it though), also would possibly disturb his elderly neighbour.

Yourefired Thanks will do that.

So sorry that your dad is having to go through this :(

If you get CCTV make sure it's a reasonable quality digital one, you want good clear images, preferably colour, the fact that they are breaking in during the day makes CCTV the best option. I would set a cameras up in the hall, livingroom, kitchen and landing and put the camera in a corner that can't be seen from outside.

Don't tell anyone about the CCTV, if someone notices just say that they are dummy cameras to discourage burglars.

Does he have an alarm system?

Covert CCTV.

How do you know who it is? Do you know anyone scary looking to go and put the frighteners on them?

I was about to say how about an alarm?

Who goes to the house most days? Look close to home...my best friend was repeatedly burgaled by her cousin who had access.

Does anyone know what sort of CCTV to get or can recommend something? I haven't a clue. I thought it would be better if it were discrete but I would imagine it would cost more. No he doesn't have an alarm. As he has cats that might be tricky and expensive.

We don't know for sure who exactly it is but we are pretty sure they are connected to a family very close by. The first break in was when my dad forgot his keys and had to use the spare key which he had foolishly left under a lose brick. My dad is a very dozy man sometimes and took the key and replaced it even though these people were watching. The next day they used the key to let themselves in and stole a load of stuff. Since then he has been broken into (not using the key obviously!) regularly. The people that saw are friends of this dodgy family. They are the pure scum type. Would put more info but it would out me. They are not the sort you can confront face to face. I would be much too scared to and would be very worried about repercussions if someone did it on our behalf.

MumblingAndBloodyRagDoll Oh it's just my sister. She only moved out recently and pops back to get stuff. Some of her things have been stolen too. She's definately not involved!

I would definitely get an alarm. They can be adjusted for cats and dogs. Ours is.

How do you adjust it? I have one but can't use it because of my cat.

I take it you've told the police who you suspect it may be?

And if you've been burgled so many times I'd have thought the police could advise you on how to put covert cctv up, or even do it for you on a temp basis. They would have a good chance of putting someone away after a few weeks of a cttv loan and setup.

He has told the police and they said they would look into it. They haven't offered CCTV but you'd think they would wouldn't you.