Household security

[Chimichangaz]

I'm getting random doorbell rings between 10.00pm and 11.00pm on an irregular basis and its freaking me out slightly. I'm a single mum living with my 15yo son, I love my house but we live 5 mins away from a slightly undesirable area with a few ruffians. We are an end terrace, in a close which borders a main road and is sometimes used as a cut through to get to another main road. We had our bikes stolen from the back garden 18 months ago so I fitted a taller gate and put a motion light in the back garden.

Am considering improving my property (extension/garage conversion) but admit this is making me re-think whether a move would be better. I'm wondering if I should install CCTV on the front door and in the back garden or am I over-reacting. We have an alarm, so I feel slightly more protected but this is, as I said, freaking me out! There's no way I would answer the door in the dark anyway, and they just ring once and then nothing. It's happened three/four times in the last few weeks.

Advice welcomed. TIA.

A dog? It doesn't have to be a big one.

I know it's scary, but I would try not to worry.

Have you tried this?
thecrimepreventionwebsite.com/home-security-survey/

Well that was a useful link, thanks. Will have a look at the recommendations. I think a dog is a huge commitment which I'm not willing to make, I'm afraid.

Can you put motion sensor lights at the front? If it's just kids knocking and running being lit up as soon as they step on your path should put them off

Is your bell wired in? We had a bell push that was remotely controlled at a socket and it was always going off by itself at weird times.

I suggest checking the wiring as well.

MIL thought someone was at her doorstep because she could hear the bell ringing, whenever she looked there was no one there. Eventually DH worked it out that it wasn't someone at her door at all but visiting a house further along, it was something to do with the doorbells picking up the other's signal.

I read that the best security light is one that is lit all night (presumably can be done on a timer). People generally ignore the sensor ones as it could be a cat etc but if its always n people can be seen approaching the house and at the door.

Thanks all for replies. It's a battery bell, wiring is ok. I actually have a porch light, so I've left that on at night all week, no ringing at strange times so far so fingers crossed that will sort it. I've also been to my neighbours, who have said to call them if it happens again (he's quite a burly chap) so that's reassuring too.