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Original poster

To feel a little bit creeped out..

233 replies

aloneathome · 09/12/2020 09:34

Hello :)

So I'm really sorry in advance if this sounds crazy.. but I don't know what to
Think.

This morning, I came downstairs to let the dogs outside, to find the back door (goes into the garden) unlocked.

We don't leave keys outside / in 'safe places' or anything like that, and always lock doors from the inside before heading off to bed.
Nothing seems out of place, didn't hear any noises through the night that were alarming, and I am a very light sleeper so most things would wake me up.

The door itself was still shut, it's just the actual lock has been unlocked which I found quite unnerving 😳 as I was home alone last night (DP on a night shift and has only just got home)

When I came downstairs this morning, I noticed the utility door was ajar (always close all internal doors - don't know why! Just a habit - so this was also odd but again nothing out of place from what I can see so far. (Loft hatch is in the utility room in case this is of any importance)

Fast forward to now, working from home and I notice a couple of large handprints on the living room windows from the outside. Too high up for me to reach, and DP wasn't here last night as I say.
Rational me is trying to think 'probably been there for weeks, unnoticed' but at the same time I definitely haven't seen them and we had all of the windows cleaned 2 weeks ago.

Not sure what to think! What would you do? I will keep an eye, but more worried as to how the outside door was unlocked this morning 😩 we have had a spate of burglaries in the area so feeling a bit vulnerable as it is..

OP posts:
TheBigFatMermaid · 10/12/2020 23:09

DulwichDiva, did you even read the OP?

HER HUSBAND WAS AT WORK!

Mamanyt · 11/12/2020 01:11

I would definitely report this to the police. Are the handprints still there and undisturbed? That could be of real value to them.

Alip1965 · 11/12/2020 03:35

Glad you are ok... just another thought... sleep walking... I have woke in the morning to find my keys in the outside of the front door lock... ive found pans on the worktops... put a camera up and there I am wandering about in the night .... x

RandomUser18282 · 11/12/2020 05:24

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

BedknobsNoBroomsticks · 11/12/2020 08:30

All very strange. Could be a homeless person looking for a place to sleep and are gone by the time you wake. Maybe that's why nothing has been taken.

profile22 · 11/12/2020 09:33

You are definitely NOT overreacting!!!
Unlocked and ajar doors, and handprints you haven’t noticed before. Contact the police, don’t mean to scare you in anyway but they may have been scanning the area and might come back, only suggesting this as you say so far nothing has been taken.
Have a look at Ring doorbells for you lr properly, we have them front & back as well as cctv. X

Kellyread · 11/12/2020 09:35

Any update on this? Hope you’re ok OP xx

BarryWhiteIsMyBrother · 11/12/2020 09:42

Our dogs bark if someone even just gets on our drive. Would yours not do the same?

nocciola · 11/12/2020 09:46

Change the locks, get a dog.

Original poster
aloneathome · 11/12/2020 09:50

We have had the locks changed, and have two
Dogs.

OP posts:
Original poster
aloneathome · 11/12/2020 09:51

The police came yesterday evening and took photographs and tests from the handprints and also DNA tests from the door, although obviously me, my partner and the man that changed the locks have also touched the door since so not sure how accurate they will be.

OP posts:
AcornAutumn · 11/12/2020 09:55

@nocciola

Change the locks, get a dog.
You didn’t even read the first post!
AcornAutumn · 11/12/2020 09:56

@aloneathome

The police came yesterday evening and took photographs and tests from the handprints and also DNA tests from the door, although obviously me, my partner and the man that changed the locks have also touched the door since so not sure how accurate they will be.
Oh that’s good. Are you using your alarm now? There’s usually settings to allow for pets.
Original poster
aloneathome · 11/12/2020 09:56

regarding the police - we called them out because there has been a spate of burglaries in the area (some violent) and to date nobody has been caught or charged yet.

OP posts:
fourquenelles · 11/12/2020 10:08

For those saying the dogs would bark - I had a border collie and a greyhound who remained steadfastly asleep whilst burglers let themselves in through the new front door (gadget through letterbox to hook onto inside handle). I do believe their presence prevented the burglars from coming upstairs though. Useless guard dogs both.

cannockcandy · 11/12/2020 11:37

I hope you managed to sleep ok last night and that you feel a bit more secure now you have new locks. Please keep us updated with the police investigation x

Ddot · 11/12/2020 12:22

I would set a trap CCTV or just place things in front of door string on a chair to another chair. Cow bell on handle. Or put a chain on door. Lock your bedroom door or put chair in front, its probably nothing but you need to know

Merryweather80 · 11/12/2020 13:17

Get a cat.
My dog was cowering in her bed but my cat woke me by jumping on my chest and hissing until I got up, when I was burgled year's ago.
Glad you are okay and the locks have been changed. The police sound like they are taking it seriously too, which is good.

On a completely separate train of thought, is/has anyone else made plans to binge-watch Luther thus weekend? Sorry op.💐

llizzie · 11/12/2020 13:37

Have you had a new key cut recently? I ordered a new key in September from the same locksmith who sent it by courier. It was dropped off by him and registered on the system, but it never arrived and no evidence it got further than the booking in.

It took a while, but the locksmith came and changed the lock because my insurance company told me that I would not be covered unless I did, because obviously there was a key circulating which I did not receive.

OneTC · 11/12/2020 13:48

I'd look into getting a deadlock for the doors that isn't key operated from outside

If you're 100% you locked it and it hasn't been forced then it's been bumped or picked and could be again

Amazing that the police came and fingerprinted etc, we've been burgled 2 nights in a row in a commercial property and the police didn't even really come the second time until I got on the phone and complained about having to clear and secure the property myself

llizzie · 11/12/2020 15:07

I remember an episode on TV bailiffs where the locksmith used a gadget which opened the door from outside without a key. Perhaps that has happened to you? A couple of bolts would perhaps stop that happening if you are at home. If you are out and someone has that sort of gadget, it might be more difficult.

Another thing to mention: Someone was gaining access to my house on a regular basis. Nothing was taken, but letters from files were on the floor when I got up, and it must have been a pretty big mouse to knock things off the top of the fridge.

People said I must be mistaken, but papers dated a few years ago on the floor that were not there the night before makes me think that someone wants me to know they can come in whenever they like. Last year I got those bolts that fit on the handles of French windows, and fitted them to the room at the top of my wheelchair ramp and the patio doors at the back. Since then I have not had signs of someone coming in.

OneTC · 11/12/2020 15:29

I remember an episode on TV bailiffs where the locksmith used a gadget which opened the door from outside without a key. Perhaps that has happened to you? A couple of bolts would perhaps stop that happening if you are at home. If you are out and someone has that sort of gadget, it might be more difficult.

Not wanting to freak everyone out but I've got a set of practice locks that replicate a typical security level of household locks and can open them pretty quickly with simple tools. They're all familiar to me though and that's why I can do them that fast but something of a similar security level isn't going to take me long to open.

Picking your way into a home is unusual though, people normally just break a window or kick a door in but I imagine it does happen and in fact other than you not locking the door it's the only explanation, that or they bumped your lock. Bumping is less technical but also doesn't work consistently if at all on anything with a decent security level

Mortice locks are a pain in the arse to pick, generally

Good quality inner bolts are obviously not pickable and require you to smash the door in

Pinkywoo · 11/12/2020 17:01

I've not seen Luther but does anyone remember the CSI where Nick's stalker was living in his loft? Shock

Alexindiamondarmour · 11/12/2020 21:11

Yes Pinky I remember that. And the creepy latex covered guy (is that the same episode, I can’t remember) that could fold himself up really small and appeared from someone’s boot during an automatic car wash? Omg.

Glad you’ve taken all the necessary safety steps OP.

Latenightreader · 11/12/2020 21:16

Anyone else thinking of Eugene Victor Tooms in the X-Files?

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