to not want to sleep ever again? (burglary next door)

[MissTeri]

Next door neighbour was burgled midday Friday, I was in when it happened and heard banging (thought they were doing DIY)!

Only found out today. Also realised that I'd seen the guy who did it (and he saw me too).

Now I'm too frightened to sleep after reading they often come back to the area (next door and even same house)!! I've been going around ever half hour turning lights on/off to try and show that someone is home and awake but obviously I can't stay awake forever. Just don't know what to do with myself and as a parent obviously I feel on guard and like I need to protect my child! Fucking arsehole burglars!!

That's awful. It really is unsettling. We had someone ring our doorbell once at 2am and when I looked out the window there was a black bmw parked up with engine running. I could here them trying the garage door. It was in the summer and I'd fallen asleep downstairs so forgotten to turn the blinds etc so it made the house look empty. They sharp vanished when I turned the light on but I was bricking it at the time.
Can you leave a landing light on over night? Or get a beware of the dog sign regardless of whether you have one?!

Oh no thats awful :(
Where abouts was he when you saw him? Its scary isnt it someone walked into next foor took there tv and left while they were up in bed and that still freaks me out.
Midday though how brazen of them utter scum!
Is understandable for you to be worried maybe fit extra security to put your mind at rest i doubt they will come back but will make you feel better xx

Oh sorry just realised it was midday! That is bloody brazen! Have you spoken to the police for reassurance of advice?

Gosh thats scary good job you were downstairs xx

I can totally understand, I'd feel the same. How can they do this to people? I think you can ask the police to come round and advise you on security, see how your house could be made more secure etc. That might help you feel a bit more in control.

I have spoken with the police earlier today (or yesterday now I guess) but only over the phone, going to call them again tomorrow so they can come and check how secure the place is.

Betsy86 He walked past my window, past the garden path to the point where it turns to go around the back. He glanced as he got to the turning point and saw me look at him. He then stood for a moment and turned and left. I figured he was looking for an estate agent who may have said to meet him there then on seeing he wasn't that he turned to wait at the bottom of the steps.

I think what has me shaken even more is this man was middle aged and totally 'normal' looking - though he definitely looked shifty but that was just because he'd walked down my path that is never ever used. For some reason I'd feel better if it was someone in their late teens/early twenties. I just felt that he was more of a 'professional' burglar somehow and that worries me more.

How can they do this to people? I've been asking myself the same thing. My other neighbour rang me earlier and she is also petrified. It's just sickening. They've not only terrified the person who they did it too but all the people living locally too. I normally wouldn't have been home too so it's sheer luck I was in - I can't begin to imagine how I'd have felt if it'd had been me. We live on a council estate, the poorest part of our town and surrounding areas ... really odd that they'd target here but I guess posher areas have better security and they're banking on people having bought Christmas presents already the arseholes!

Gosh that is strange i get what you mean about appearance he wasnt the stereotypical looking thief.
Sounds bad but atleast he saw you were home in the day so thats another detterent x

I would take comfort in thinking that knowing you saw him, he is unlikely to want you to see him again so will avoid your vicinity.

I feel the same after a recent incident that's been in the news regarding a woman in muswell hill gagged, bound and stabbed to death, its two roads from my mums house and police have yet to arrest someone.
Lots of sensor lights, window and door locks and a panic alarm is what we've set our mums house up with. It's so unsettling

I think it's completely normal to feel like that. I was burgled many years ago and that jumping at every noise you hear feeling never really goes! Make sure and get an alarm fitted if you don't already. Lock windows at night. A beware of the dog sign is a good idea, that puts people off. Or actually get a dog if you can. I've acquired 7 dogs since my burglary, although such softies I'm not sure they'd be much help, but they bark when strangers come in the house so I know they'd alert me if someone came in. Take a bit of comfort in the fact that you seen him, it'll be very risky for him to come back knowing the police will have a description of him.

If you can afford an alarm I think that is the best deterrent. Talking to the police about security is the best plan. Burglars are often opportunists and are put off it's made a bit difficult for them.

As you've seen him I would imagine he'll keep well away from your area now.

If you saw his face did you give a description to the police?

As you've seen him I would imagine he'll keep well away from your area now I'm hoping he will but part of me, possibly irrationally, keeps thinking he's going to come and get rid of me because I've seen him! Still not had a wink of sleep! I feel so terrible for anyone who has ever been burgled, I don't know how people ever get over such an invasion. These people are absolute scum and I don't think they're treated anywhere near as harshly as they should be by the judicial system.

I hope you can start to relax a bit storm. Most burglars are only interested in a quick buck, they're not going to physically harm you. We have had burglars in our garden and the police said they probably only nicked stuff from the shed because the house was secure enough to put them off. I was, like you, scared for days, but they never returned. I'm sure the police will be able to allay your fears when you speak to them.

Take heart in the fact that a day time burgler is usually a different breed to a night time one. Day time burglars are opportunists looking for a soft target. It's a completely different matter to break into an occupied house in the middle of the night. So I don't think you need to worry. He also knows you're home in the day and that you saw him so he won't be back.

20 years ago I went downstairs at 3am to get a glass of water and was shocked to see a man halfway through the kitchen window.
I honestly don’t know who was more afraid, me or him!
I started shouting and swearing and threatening to stab him if he didn’t leave.
He scarpered quick sharpish

With regard to getting a dog, do be aware that they also get stolen in burglaries and in some cases knifed. I read a while ago of a pup that had been drowned in the bath while the burglary was taking place.

Not far from me there have been groups of men kicking doors open in broad daylight. If the doors don't open they try a window. I know someone who would sit on her front wall if she saw their cars.