Do people in social housing get burgled?

Kinneddar · 07/07/2024 02:10

You've got the same chance as people not in social housing. Burglars don't tend to discriminate. What a strange question

MegsNaiceJam · 07/07/2024 02:33

Yes of course they do. Burglars are often opportunists so sounds like you’re doing all you can such as getting best possible locks on doors and windows. Cameras.

My aunt, in social housing, was burglared whilst we were at my grandma’s funeral. My friend, lives in an £850k house also has been burgled. It happens everywhere, the trick is to make your house less vulnerable.

EnglishBluebell · 07/07/2024 02:46

🤨

Edingril · 07/07/2024 03:47

Yeah there is an invisible sign that only burglar's can see that says 'don't pick this one'

Are you really genuinely asking, why?

Dontsparethehorses · 07/07/2024 04:43

OP I think “people might just come drunk into my garden if I don’t lock it”
this is a fair comment- is there a reason you can’t lock it??!

Lurkingandlearning · 07/07/2024 06:43

Are you talking about burglars or Robin Hood?

BusyCM · 07/07/2024 06:52

Why do the weirdest posts get written in the middle of the night?

Edingril · 07/07/2024 07:03

BusyCM · 07/07/2024 06:52

Why do the weirdest posts get written in the middle of the night?

I think we all know but we are not allowed to say

Andthereitis · 07/07/2024 07:04

Make yours the least attractive to.rib. alarm is a good deterrent.
However if you don't have a fancy car you're probably very low risk.

Join home watch if there is one.

DeclansAFeckingDream · 07/07/2024 07:05

Why would you think they wouldn't?

poshsnobtwit · 07/07/2024 07:41

I've had a turn of events in life and very recently moved into a street which is about 70% social/council housing. According to the stats, it has high crime rates, but one of the things that struck me within a day or two of being here is that it would be difficult for anyone to break in because there are constant 'eyes' on the street. A lot of people don't seem to work, they stand at their front doors smoking/chatting, there is a very high awareness of who is coming/going at all times. I imagine if there was a burglary it would be an inside job and the perpetrator would be dealt with internally, so if your area is like mine, you are probably at much less risk.

gamerchick · 07/07/2024 07:47

SH doesn't have a forcefield OP. Get a lock for your gate, install a light outside. A SP one doesn't have to cost the earth. I have a ring and 4 CCTV cameras.

Get to know your street busy body. All streets have one. The more eyes looking out for you the better. Mines my next door neighbour. There's nothing she doesn't know about

BurglarAndSwag · 07/07/2024 07:51

Not if they have a big dog.

BiscuityBoyle · 07/07/2024 07:56

Like any kind of housing I would think it depends on the area. Big houses that are away from each other where a burglar could do his thing without being disturbed seems more likely to be burgled to me. Social housing is generally closer together and more overlooked.

WillimNot · 07/07/2024 07:58

I had a social housing flat due to leaving a hostel for homeless teens, in 2000.

I was burgled twice. Once was when a neighbour found out you could get to others flats via the open attics, the second time when I was at (now) DHs flat for the night. That one was particularly horrid because I didn't have much worth stealing and they smashed everything up and made a horrendous mess.

I've never been burgled (touch wood) in private rented or live in housing for work, but do know a few people that have.

What I did find was the Police's attitude to being burgled compared to when a friend who owed her home was. In her case she was fully insured and they nicked her TV and laptop, opened a few drawers out looking for money presumably but it wasn't too bad. Police were reassuring, polite and interested

When I was burgled and as I say they really made a mess, opened bottles of shampoo and creams, food jars smashed, TV had been smashed (it was one of those old ones with the wood surround so I bet they were miffed). They really did vile things and I was in tears when I opened my door and saw carnage, glass everywhere, it took me days to clean up and I moved in with DH a few days later.

Two officers turned up, no care or compassion, attitude was I had wasted their time and they had "only" stolen my stereo, a games console and microwave. They had a real attitude, didn't reassure me at all, if anything they sneered at me. When I said, look at the damage they've done, one of them said "well lucky it was a shit TV then, and was it that tidy anyway?" They saw a young woman in social housing and just assumed I was a skank who didn't clean. They also asked if I had "debts" to anyone who may be angry about it, such as drugs!

watchuswreckthemic · 07/07/2024 08:00

As usual first response nails it. You need contents insurance

purdypuma · 07/07/2024 08:05

Yes it might well happen. Might be worth checking with your housing provider as some offer contents insurance otherwise check on a comparison site.

Greentapemeasure · 07/07/2024 08:32

Burglaries aren’t as popular as they used to be, shoplifting is the big thing now. Pop a Ring doorbell up and that should put them off 🤞🏻

gamerchick · 07/07/2024 08:57

WillimNot · 07/07/2024 07:58

I had a social housing flat due to leaving a hostel for homeless teens, in 2000.

I was burgled twice. Once was when a neighbour found out you could get to others flats via the open attics, the second time when I was at (now) DHs flat for the night. That one was particularly horrid because I didn't have much worth stealing and they smashed everything up and made a horrendous mess.

I've never been burgled (touch wood) in private rented or live in housing for work, but do know a few people that have.

What I did find was the Police's attitude to being burgled compared to when a friend who owed her home was. In her case she was fully insured and they nicked her TV and laptop, opened a few drawers out looking for money presumably but it wasn't too bad. Police were reassuring, polite and interested

When I was burgled and as I say they really made a mess, opened bottles of shampoo and creams, food jars smashed, TV had been smashed (it was one of those old ones with the wood surround so I bet they were miffed). They really did vile things and I was in tears when I opened my door and saw carnage, glass everywhere, it took me days to clean up and I moved in with DH a few days later.

Two officers turned up, no care or compassion, attitude was I had wasted their time and they had "only" stolen my stereo, a games console and microwave. They had a real attitude, didn't reassure me at all, if anything they sneered at me. When I said, look at the damage they've done, one of them said "well lucky it was a shit TV then, and was it that tidy anyway?" They saw a young woman in social housing and just assumed I was a skank who didn't clean. They also asked if I had "debts" to anyone who may be angry about it, such as drugs!

Well youve seen some of the attitudes to social housing on Mumsnet. There are some proper knobs about. Doesn't surprise me at all. Especially from the police. You should have put a complaint in about their attitude.

Sorry that happened to you, it would annialate your peace of mind.

WillimNot · 07/07/2024 09:12

gamerchick · 07/07/2024 08:57

Well youve seen some of the attitudes to social housing on Mumsnet. There are some proper knobs about. Doesn't surprise me at all. Especially from the police. You should have put a complaint in about their attitude.

Sorry that happened to you, it would annialate your peace of mind.

Show quote history

Indeed I have.

I've not been in social housing since then and that was 2002 but I've never looked down my nose at others who are.

I was only 20 so I had no idea you could complain about the police. Whilst I lived there I was unaware my flat had been lived in by a dodgy, known family before me. One night at 2am, when I was 18 so I had been there a matter of months, I got woken up by the Police trying to lock my door off.

They suggested they had knocked but I didn't hear it and I'm a very light sleeper. They were looking for the previous tenant over an assault and he had a warrant outstanding. Despite him having a wife and being, as I say, known (even I knew who they were as they were well known locally) the police didn't expect they had moved out. They walked past me and started looking in the rooms, in my wardrobe and asked for a ladder to look in the attic. No apologies to me when I showed them my tenancy and that I had no connection at all.

I'm far more savvy now and would be straight onto professional standards for behaviour like that. In my job I have to liaise with the police often and know that for every few who are great, some really are bastards and should've been retired out long ago. I've still had sexist comments about my being in my job and head director, some ask to speak to my DH who immediately tells them to speak to me.

combinationpadlock · 07/07/2024 09:15

WillimNot · 07/07/2024 07:58

I had a social housing flat due to leaving a hostel for homeless teens, in 2000.

I was burgled twice. Once was when a neighbour found out you could get to others flats via the open attics, the second time when I was at (now) DHs flat for the night. That one was particularly horrid because I didn't have much worth stealing and they smashed everything up and made a horrendous mess.

I've never been burgled (touch wood) in private rented or live in housing for work, but do know a few people that have.

What I did find was the Police's attitude to being burgled compared to when a friend who owed her home was. In her case she was fully insured and they nicked her TV and laptop, opened a few drawers out looking for money presumably but it wasn't too bad. Police were reassuring, polite and interested

When I was burgled and as I say they really made a mess, opened bottles of shampoo and creams, food jars smashed, TV had been smashed (it was one of those old ones with the wood surround so I bet they were miffed). They really did vile things and I was in tears when I opened my door and saw carnage, glass everywhere, it took me days to clean up and I moved in with DH a few days later.

Two officers turned up, no care or compassion, attitude was I had wasted their time and they had "only" stolen my stereo, a games console and microwave. They had a real attitude, didn't reassure me at all, if anything they sneered at me. When I said, look at the damage they've done, one of them said "well lucky it was a shit TV then, and was it that tidy anyway?" They saw a young woman in social housing and just assumed I was a skank who didn't clean. They also asked if I had "debts" to anyone who may be angry about it, such as drugs!

I hope you complained

combinationpadlock · 07/07/2024 09:19

People in social housing just as likely or unlikely to get burgled as people not. What a strange question

Needmorelego · 07/07/2024 09:19

Unless it's a brand new build that is so new that no one has been there long enough to be able to do Right to Buy - then how would burglars know if a property is "social housing" or not? You don't have to display a special sign or anything!

kiwiane · 07/07/2024 09:24

Yes they do - opportunistic crime can be reduced by locking doors and gates, shutting windows and being aware of parcel deliveries.
I don’t live in fear but I do lock my back gate and my doors, I don’t leave windows open and try to have parcels delivered to the post office. I keep tools in the house rather than in my garden shed.
One advantage is being so close to my neighbours is that they’ll probably notice a burglar breaking in but I’m insured and don’t have jewellery etc that can’t be replaced.

BobbyBiscuits · 07/07/2024 09:24

My house looks like a piece of shit from the outside, on purpose to deter burglars of course.. Little do they know...it looks like that inside too. Lol
Any house could be burgled, especially if you leave doors and windows unlocked.
It doesn't mean it's super likely to happen.