Someone just looked through my letter box

[listsandbudgets]

The outer porch door was unlocked. Our house has a long hall with the sitting room at the back so if sitting room door open I can see front door from sofa if that makes sense. About 10 minutes ago I thought I heard someone in the porch and then the dog barked and when I looked up I could see our letter box was opened up and there was someone looking through. Dog was racing down the hall and jumped up at door barking and whoever it was disappeared leaving outer door wide open.

At home alone with kids and completely freaked out - I doubt they had any good intent. Glad dog reacted though she's a soppy spaniel so not exactly top grade guard dog but she certainly earned her bed and board just now. Hopefully she's put him off the idea.

that sounds scary! Keep your outer door locked! Can you fit a brush bar or letter box shield? Our letterbox can't be seen through as it has both.

Are you OK OP?

Thanks both

I've locked outer door now.

@Holidaaaaay We did have a brush thingy but it fell out a while ago somehow and we need ot replace it - will be doing that sooner rather than later now.

Yes I'm alright now just feeling a bit shaky which is silly really for something that only happened for a few seconds. I've checked the doorbell footage - he wasn't masked - I definitely don't recognise him - my friends tend to ring the door bell rather than take a shifty through letter box then run away!! I think I might try to talk to the police on live chat in the morning though it may just be a waste of their time

Why don’t you keep your front door locked?

Definitely talk to the police as he might be trying it with a few different houses. Your footage might be the only bit with him unmasked.

Glad you are okay.

Yes, I agree. Maybe call 101 in case he tries other people's houses.
It could just be someone a bit drunk (This has happened to me when a neighbour a few doors down thought my house was his after a night at the pub!).

Dog has just gone out in garden and started growling and barking - she almost never growls aggressively. . Feeling unusually on edge now. Going to lock all the doors, check all the windows are locked and draw all the curtains and leave lights on down stairs before going to bed.

Not sure I'm going to sleep well tonight.

Have you got a long range torch, have a look through the windows, stick all the lights on.

Have you got numbers for neighbours? Give them a message. Give any friends a message.

Yes check all windows, doors. Do you have a house alarm? Make sure it's on.

Oh OP, that sounds scary, could you call the police and report it now on the off chance they might do something?

Could you invite someone over?

I think I would phone the police now you’re worried they are also in the back garden. Even if it’s the sight of a police car visiting your home to scare them off. Have you got neighbours contact détails? Even though it’s late I would think a text saying what has happened and you are concerned about the garden would totally be appreciated even if 11pm

I would 100% be calling the police right now. Your dog is behaving out of character and that would be enough for me I think.

That sounds terrifying OP, I hope you're OK.

Op if you are going to replace bits of the letter box, look for the security rated type.

But I would also be tempted to report to police

I too would report to the police. I hope you are ok OP, is there another adult that would be happy to come over given the circumstances?

Tape the letterboxes tonight in case they come back. Make sure you have nothing valuable within reach.

On top of all the precautions mentioned above, do sign up for your neighborhood’s group on FB or Nextdoor app, to see if anyone else had similar encounter. Usually stuff like this comes up in waves, like people trying car doors. Might put your mind at ease, that it is not targeted.

Also make sure no keys / car keys are within reach of the letterbox. Hope you're ok.

I’d be giving 101 a phone just now, just in case.

Take your handbag upstairs with you if you don't normally do so. A friend's house was broken in to and the bag was on the back of a dining chair. They took TV etc and then took her car keys and stole the car too.

You doing OK OP?

Report to 101 online and send video of the guy. Also maybe let neighbours know to be vigilant.
I guess it could simply be someone lost and looking for someone in a different house, but it could indeed be potential burglars.

Phone the police now don't wait til morning

Honestly there are chancers out there - few years back we had a spate of burglaries in thre villagr one night where they went in houses where people were in bed and had not double locked the front door. I was not burgled as didn't have a double glazed front door - either side was!. Would recommend a ring doorbell as that will pick up any movement. (My dog will sense anything before somebody hits the doorbell!)

I guess it could simply be someone lost and looking for someone in a different house

No legitimate lost person, at night on a residential street, would be like “I know, I’ll peer through this unfamiliar letterbox on the off chance the person I am seeking is standing right in the eyeline”