Should I report suspected attempted break-in at our rural home?

[SecurityConcerns]

Should I report this using the online police tool? Is it too minor? Google AI says I should so they can build a local picture/data

Last night my dog woke me at around 2.30am, barking his head off. He sleeps in the dining area which is on the first floor and open plan to the kitchen. There is a balcony outside with stairs down to ground, so kitchen door is “accessible”.

I settled him and went back to bed. My bedroom window was open and I thought I heard someone going down the balcony stairs and a little cough. Wasn’t sure and I went back to sleep.

This morning a gate was open. We always close them carefully to a) keep the dog in and b) keep sheep out (we’re rural), so I was worried that there had actually been someone there on the balcony last night who’d disturbed the dog.

Getting worried, I looked for signs of tampering, and it seems that someone has attempted to pick both the kitchen door lock (on balcony) and the utility room door lock below. The locks are damaged. They still work from the inside, but can’t get keys into them from outside.

Now this may not have been last night… it might have like that for a long time and gone unnoticed, and there was nothing other than an accidentally left open (by us) gate last night. However someone has definitely tried to get in at some point.

This is a huge worry. There is always at least one car on the drive, usually two, so whoever it was doesn’t care that they may run into people! Also, one of our DC is in hospital some way away, so DH and I have to go and spend one night every so often, leaving (just turned) 17YO DD alone in the house! Don’t want to do that now!!

We are in a low crime rate area with few burglaries and break-ins generally.

Thanks for any thoughts on this.

Report

There may have been other criminal activity in the area and it is all information about whats happening

Yes. I'm an ex copper and we'd want to know about it even if only to be aware of what's happening in your area.

Unlikely an officer will come out but it's important that a full picture is recorded - could be there have been other incidents and they can tie it all together.

Report. If the police know it's happening, they can build a bigger picture.

Report and set booby traps…not to Kevin’s standards but so that they trip up, make noise, etc.

I would report.
I would also set up ring (or similar ) and link to motion activated lighting front and rear.
That way you can always see if someone tries to access your property even if you aren't there.

Thank you all.
I’m a very anxious person and am so annoyed that I don’t feel safe at home any more.

Yes, police surely want to know about all things, and even record things that aren't counted as crime, in case it leads to a crime in the future. They spend a lot of time round here monitoring cars, and it's obviously much more serious if someone is possibly breaking into a home,

I would report. Possibly a few properties have been targeted and police can build the picture.

Also consider getting some improved security measures - sensor lights, cameras, additional deadlocks etc

It’s depressing that it’s needed, but at least your current locks held up, and it’s likely your dog scared off potential thieves.

Report and get Ring floodlight cameras and door/window alarms.

Could certainly do with a Kevin!!

We will improve security. There were already security lights and two alarm boxes on the house which didn’t put them off.
Will try Ring or Simplisafe or similar.
Glad I have a skittish dog!

Seems unanimous that I should do an online report then. I will.

Yes, I'd report.
I'd also install a burglar alarm, security lighting and CCTV. Without those, please tell me each door has two deadlocks and internal bolts.
TBF when I heard footsteps and the cough, I'd have dialled 999.

Hi Roses, the doors are all PVC, but good ones with lots of locking points and guaranteed break-in proof locks - they’ve now proved themselves, too!

I’ll definitely be buying a new security system now though.

Wasnt sure if I was imagining the cough… it’s very quiet here so there are all sorts of cat and other animal sounds too. Don’t want to call 999 on a hedgehog.

In addition to all the other reasons to report, if you want to claim for repair of the locks on your home insurance you will need a crime number. When similar happened to us the insurance agent who came out to have a look pointed out other damage on a door and a window we hadn’t noticed.

Leave your car keys somewhere they’ll be easily found too.

My friend’s car was stolen to order, she used to hide her keys every night and they completely ransacked the place trying to find them. The police said if she’d left them out then they’d likely have just taken the keys quietly.

Definitely report, even 30 years ago when we lived rurally we had attempted break in, our dog was poisoned! He died! It was very odd, we were poorest in the village, nothing worth stealing!

That’s interesting. I wondered why they didn’t bother with DHs car which is pretty swanky, but I guess cars are so secure these days that getting the key is easier. Yikes.

Don't bother with a Ring doorbell or camera, get a proper CCTV system that stores data securely

Fecking hell I’m so sorry, that is appalling!

A few nights ago DH said there was a car outside he didn’t like the look of and he thought they were looking at the dog, so he called him in and the car sped off. I’ve only just remembered that.

If they hurt my dog I’d fucking kill them

Also get some CCTV cameras installed as well as a ring door bell camera.

Security lights and sensors which set the lights off.

Absolutely report

You e already got your answer but another saying report!

Get a ring doorbell and lighting that comes on with movement and report to police.

Please, please, please keep an eye on your dog. If they feel the dog is the thing preventing their actions they may try again.

Yes, definitely report. We had similar a couple of weeks ago and a PC came out to have a look. We also bought and installed a security camera which has given some peace of mind.

You should definitely report it. It's extremely unlikely that Police will contact you but at least they are aware.

Can you improve your security?