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How likely is it that a potential burglar would come back?

6 replies

KL92xxxx · 16/04/2022 21:15

Hello I live in a terrace house and the v small garden has a wall and a gate at the end which leads to a passage way which two rows of back gardens run either side of. We are towards the end of the passage and this is next to a fairly busy road with loads of cars and people.

We unfortunately have the least secure garden out of our neighbours as the wall and gate are pretty low. Today we got home and it was clear someone had jumped the wall had a look around the garden and then let themselves out the gate leaving it wide open (it’s a stiff gate it would not open with any wind - not that there was any today).

I’m so thankful they didn’t get into the house but I’m now home alone with the baby as my partner has gone out and I’m worried whoever it was will come back tonight, or if they wanted to break in would they have just done it then? They’d have had a view of our kitchen and living room and to be fair nothing on show was worth much at all so it’s not like they’d have been able to spot anything worth stealing so I’m hoping that deterred them.

I’m super worried but feeling quite helpless as we rent so can’t do much to secure ourselves however I have contacted our letting agents to see if we can put some measures in place after this but unsure what they’ll say.

OP posts:
MargaretThursday · 16/04/2022 22:12

Just anecdotal, but we had years back where someone clearly was going to make an attempt. I woke to hearing banging, l went to the window and saw someone walk down the path, then come back up with a light and a tool box.
They then saw me and scarpered.

They didn't come back even though I slept very badly for several weeks.

IggysPop · 16/04/2022 22:20

That’s rough.

Most burglars are pretty opportunistic and would not chance an occupied property.

When we had an attempted break-in I was put into contact our community policing team - they sent somebody to check the house and offer security advice. It was really helpful and our LL did act on most of it. Might be worth a shot?

Cauliflowersqueeze · 16/04/2022 22:28

Can you fix one of those movement detector lights and get a ring camera thing (pretty cheap)?

Here’s one for a tenner - worth it?
www.screwfix.com/c/electrical-lighting/motion-sensors/cat4910012

Inklingpot · 16/04/2022 22:38

If they came into the garden and left again, it’s likely that it was an opportunist and they won’t be back.

You can do things to deter them. Motion sensor lights, cameras, high gates with anti-climb paint, spiky plants, stickers on your windows to say you have smart water or are part of Neighbourhood Watch. Remove plant pots which could be used to stand on, put locks on gates.

It’s also worth joining a local WhatsApp or Facebook group because others will notice suspicious behaviour.

ChoiceMummy · 16/04/2022 22:50

My only experience was living in a first floor apartment. Someone made 3 attempts to break in over the course of a week, twice when I'd only just left and returned unexpectedly early.
So if a planned recce yes. If opportunistic due to being accessible unlikely.

Slycat · 16/04/2022 23:07

You need to make your garden less appealing than your neighbours garden

We got a blink camera (as well as a fake one as it was bigger and easier for a burglar to spot)

And a sign saying camera in garden

My theory, they will leave our garden and go to someone else's who does not have a camera in the garden

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