Prowler outside - what should we do? Photos attached

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I've just been woken by our 3 month old DD and saw that our home security camera sent us an alert triggered by a motion sensor at 1am (stills from the footage below).

Somebody with a rucksack seems to be checking out the front of our house and it looks as if he might have taken a photo of the front door as he was leaving the driveway.

I'm so freaked out. It seems like he's scoping us out for a burglary. What should we do? We'll contact the local PCSO in the morning but should we call 101 or anything . . . ?

I think I couldn’t sleep after this if I were you...

I would call the police, perhaps they won’t break into your home tonight but pay a ‘visit’ to one of your neighbours home. I would be thankful for your call if I was that neighbour.

I would be frightened. Are you home alone with the baby?

Yes, report it to the police now but on the non-emergency number because it was several hours ago. It looks like he has gone out equipped to commit burglary given the rucksack and hood. He could have committed offences in the area around this time and/or be checking your house out. Check you are happy with your security levels and warn your neighbours tomorrow.

Not home alone - DH is here. He's just called 101 and they've said there's not much they can do other than log it, which we expected, and check for any other reports in the area.

Yes, we'll absolutely speak to our neighbours first thing in the morning.

The thing that worries me most is that we moved in a year ago but haven't got round to replacing the doors yet - they're not very strong or secure, and lock with a single-point locking mechanism. Obviously we'll look to replace them ASAP but it might be too late at this point, if we've already been targeted.

I'm really, really unsettled by this.

I would definitely have to phone the police now. I would also switch a light on downstairs incase they come back.

Could you get a locksmith round today to replace all of your locks with better locks, such as anti-snap locks?

How worrying. I’d be very unsettled too.

I’d definitely up my security with regards to the door as soon as you can.

In the meantime can you leave a downstairs light on over night. We always leave a lamp on in the hall. And when DH used to travel a lot and I was home alone I would leave different room lights on at night. One night kitchen and another night living room for instance. I think it makes it look like there is someone up and about in the house so you are less likely to be targeted.

Go to b&q or somewhere similar today and get a CCTV sticker and a beware of the dog sign. Display both prominently.

I used to work in the marketing department of a door company. I once researched security and sAw on a "protect your home" article on a police website that beware of the dog signs do help reduce burglaries.

Put up a sign on the door that says 'security camera'. Or 'we have you on camera, f off'.

I too leave lights on overnight usually a lamp in the front room.

I would be getting an alarm system with door, window, and broken glass sensors. I have one and it offers a lot of peace of mind. Agree with the above about not having your home completely dark inside at night. It's not a good idea.

Lights on, and we'll look at getting better locks until we can replace the doors. CCTV/dog stickers seem like a good idea.

I'm also contemplating putting a notice at the door - "guy with rucksack lurking at 1am - we've sent CCTV footage fo the police" . . . but maybe that's stupid, I don't know.

Ugh. It's a horrible feeling.

A significant number of burglars can't read, but the signs won't do any harm and might put a few off.

Don't put a notice aimed at them OP. The person might be unstable and that could trigger them.

Secure the door as best you can, you could even put something against it from the inside.

We were burgled OP, so I do understand your fears and desire to reduce the risk.

This is such a big fear of mine. I would never sleep again if this happened to me. My dh works nightshift half the week i would be terrified
I know says that wont help you sorry. Hope you get things more secure for your peace of mind. x

As will as better locks, I'd look at getting some sliding bolts for the top and bottom of the doors. Easy to fit and not too expensive. I did similar in a previous house.

Hope you are ok op.

We live rurally and Hubby's work vehicle, parked well away from the road and away from prying eyes, was robbed within metres of our house several months ago.

I bought cameras which report back to my mobile and also joined the plan. So first up I would ensure I have saved those images you have, so they are not accidentally deleted when you are sorting through other motion recordings.

Secondly, because our lot came across from an adjoining property, I have made it very obvious on our community social media page, that we have cameras and are on a plan.

My reason for doing this is I don't want them back. Its all very well for self-defence and the like, but the legal fees as the victim to establish our innocence, while the visitors get legal aid, is outrageous. Lost time at work etc etc. Its just better they stay away knowing they are going to be filmed here....

I understand that anti snap locks are fairly easy to fit yourself (dh did ours so not speaking from experience personally!). The advice from our local police is that this is one of the most useful deterrents. They certainly worked for us when our street was targeted one night - 6 houses broken into including neighbours either side, but they didn’t touch ours.

An outside light might help it looks like you don't have one .
I always reassure myself that I don't have much worth nicking. They wouldn't find my jewellery , do people still steel tellies? iPhone is with me or by my bed. A camera that's not worth a lot.
Photoing the door might be cos they're coming back in day time so I'd have my handbag and credit card with me.

We have fake cameras on our house, they used to work but no longer do. About 2 months ago our neighbors got burgled - we live in identical houses , so I'm sure it's the. Cameras and our Ring door bell that saved us . Costco have a pretty good range of self assembly cameras that are easy to install

If the cameras triggered like that again, call 999, suspicious calls are completely normal and everyone hates a burglar. Police will not mind trying to find him

We have this regularly. We were shocked how often when we got our ring door bell. We live in inner London of a popular high street, I assume we get mother pedestrian traffic. To me they seem to be chancers, seeing if a door is unlocked, easy to get in.

Sometimes we accidentally leave our door unlocked (keys must unlock door in our bags etc) and we’ve had a fair few things nicked. I’m not really disturbed by it anymore as I think if you take reasonable precautiona it should be ok.

I lived on a large housing estate in Bedfordshire. Very nice area.
However, if we ever left a car unlocked that night, without fail, the car would be searched and anything in it would be taken. Front door left unlocked once (stupid door) and the next morning my neighbour returned an old purse that had been kept in my kitchen cupboard. So someone had tried the door and let themselves in and searched the ground floor whilst we were asleep.
My conclusion is that there are opportunists circulating every single night

Gosh this is so frightening.
Hope you were able to get some sleep.