to want to kill these "people"

[toody]

Early hours of this morning 79 yr dad was burgled scariest part is that they were in his bedroom while he was asleep, can't stop thinking what if he woke what would they have done. Worried they will come back now they know it's an old person living on their own. Need to increase his security but struggles with his hands so doesn't think he can manage a chain or bolt. Suggested yale lock but he worries he can't get out in emergency or I can't get in. Just want to kill the *.

Bastards.
Hope something horrible happens to them.
My dad was burgled when he was in the hospice.......hope your dad recovers.

My sympathies
We were out when we were burgled, several years ago, though my DD nearly walked in on them,

We have something similar to this on our front door
cgi.ebay.co.uk/LOCK-LOCKING-DOOR-CHAIN-KEY-KEYS-BRASS-PLATED-_W0QQitemZ130489980054QQcmdZViewItem?rvr_id=229670825857&rvr_id=229670825857&cguid=baa414f712f0a0aa14a54745fffdc1bc

It means we can put the chain on at night but anyone coming in off late shift can use a key to unlock from outside

Thank you all for your suggestions going to look into dummy cctv already got dummy burglar alarm box but don't think it's promiment enough so going to move it. The "funny" thing is dad was head of local police and for many years was crime prevention officer, he's first to admit he can be lax with security allthough he wasn't on this night. Spoke to many ex crime prevention officers and they all seem to be terrible at security - strange.
Thanks for your good wishes dad is fine determined not to let it effect him.

utter scummy bastards

cage on the letter box is a good idea

hope hes not to shaken

That really is awful. I'd be furious. DH's grandmother woke in the night once and found someone in her house. She thought he was going to hit her and she just said "My handbag is over there, you can go out the back door" and he took it and left. Thankfully. Police think she probably scared him and he too his chance to rob her and go because she sounded so calm and co-operative.

I wouldn't advise him to keep anything nearby as a weapon though as it may easily be taken off him and used on him.

Anything you can do to increase security and make him feel safe is good and the police or the neighbourhood watch will help.

I think the suggestion of a basket on the letterbox is a good one but also get him into the habit of taking the key out of the door. He could keep it by his bedside if he's worried about getting out in an emergency. Are there brushes on the letterbox or can you fit one that has them? One of those heavy letterbox flaps on a spring that snaps back might make it more awkward for them too.

We deliberately have kept our gate squeeky so we hear it open and in our old house I kept a windchime over the front door so as it opened it would catch it and the chime would ring. Gravel on the path outside is also a noisemaker. Maybe a security light that is motion sensitive.

Does he qualify for any assistance in getting alarms or window locks fitted?