Attempted burglary - opinions on alarms please!

[user2348]

Hi there,
I was away on holiday and a man tried to get into my house at 6.30pm. I have ring cameras front and back but his face was covered so didn't deter. He saw my neighbours window open so burgled them instead - but I worry he'll be back before long...He got in through a side access by climbing over my neighbours front fence, which I am negotiating with them to secure/increase height but won't be simple or immediate.
I am thinking of now getting an alarm - not worried about my stuff being taken, but I live on my own and it's scared me. I have had an ADT man round and it's £250 installation and £30 a month for basic monitoring. As I said, already have Ring. Opinions please would be great, and any other security tips - or just tips to feel happy staying in my house again!! Thank you

As the burglary of your neighbours has shown, burglars are usually opportunist. Even an unmonitored alarm can be sufficient deterrent if neighbours don't have them.

I would sooner invest the money in adequately securing the property rather than a fancy alarm. IMO firms like ADT pray on those in fear after such events like yourself.

The vast majority of people dont bother setting their alarm which then renders it completely useless.

Using antisnap/antibump locks, patlocks and even protective window films will cost less and actually secure your home.

After I was burgled, I was told that simply having a lit box on the front and back of the house is a deterrent - they don't know if there's a set alarm or not., And who does anything if an alarm goes off anyway? Unless you pay for it to be linked to the police via a keyholding company when the police may or may not arrive at any time over the next 2 hours to check the premises - by which time Burglar Bill has long gone.

My burglar alarm made me feel safer but it isn't a cast iron solution to never getting burgled. Most burglars are opportunists unless they are stealing cars to order and want the keys (mine were this brand of scum!). I spent money on getting the locks on front and back doors upgraded so they were much harder to snap.

I agree that a lot of burglaries are opportunists so the first thing to do would be to make sure your house is secure. There's been a number of posts on my local FB board where burglars have just walked in through an unlocked door or stolen items from an unlocked car.

Having said that we have a sophisticated monitored alarm due to expensive equipment in a home office. We set it every time we leave the house and night and i find it has helped me feel more safe on the nights that DH is working away.

he will be back, although probably to your neighbours as he knows they will be replacing stuff. Once he can't get in he will give up. Probably a druggie looking for stuff to sell, they don't generally want the extended hassle of a personal attack charge as they know the system. He's proved that with the covered face.

I agree - proper locks, windows shut and locked, prickly plants, maybe anti-climb paint. And if you go out without the car, take the car keys with you.

We bought a Yale alarm from Amazon we can link it to our phone And it would alert us if it went off. Also got basic cctv and a brighter security light when we had an attempted break in. The police are great to show you where any weaknesses in your security would be see if you can get a community pcso to take a look.

I like having an alarm because regardless of what neighbours do I know if someone sets it off. We have ADT. I also have a ring doorbell & lots of locks on front & back doors & high fence. We have a neighbourhood watch scheme which is pretty good. Police also recommend cctv & cutting down any hedges, secondary glazing & secure window locks.

oh & we have sensor security lights on both doors

OP sorry this happened to you

Mum got freaked out after a nearby burglary and had an alarm fitted by a firm called ACE.

I’ve also put a couple of lamps on intermittent timer at her place. Looks like someone is up and about when they’re not.

A pp mentioned a “lit box” - sorry what does that mean please?

PS we dithered over security lights but ended up thinking it might just make it easier for burglars to see what they’re doing!

Also mum would have panicked every time a cat strolled by!

Pyrocanthus (sp?) and anti climb paint.

My DP's parents house got burgled and the police think they wanted the neighbours but the alarm scared them off. They actually took the kitchen window out with those suction things...!

DP's dad put an alarm up not sure which one but he has sensors on every window and every door now as well as room sensors.

We were burgled twice and now have an alarm that calls my mobile if it’s activated. Also CCTV front and back, and motion activated lights in the garden.

It’s miserable living like this!

Op we have the alarm from the alarming company and the fabs are wireless and it’s good because you can alarm your house when you are sleeping and when you are out

Visible CCTV
Nothing of value on display handbag by window is a common one near us, they snap the lock grab the bag and run.
Anti snap locks simple DIY job about £40-50 per door
www.abs-secure.co.uk
I was told the burglar looks for these and knows by the lock design they cant get in even if they manage to snap them.
Lights on timers, lock side gates, don't leave tools in the garden they can use to gain access. As mentioned they are opportunists and wants quick in and out unless its a specific car they are after

Ours was installed by the people who lived here before us when they were burgled.
We have: window locks on every window; double locks on all external doors; motion detectors on the Downstairs windows that trigger the alarm if the window vibrates (so the alarm goes off when the windows are cleaned but that’s a price worth paying); motion sensors upstairs and downstairs. We set the downstairs alarm every night- this has knocked a chunk off our insurance payments. I’m regularly alone at night and feel very safe - we’ve had people try to get in through the windows in the past then been deterred by the alarm and gone on to burgle neighbours.
I don’t know what everything cost to install. We pay an annual service charge - about £50 - when the installers come out and check that everything is working.
I agree with asking the police to come and look for vulnerabilities.

If you have a side entrance, a strong, full-height gate with a lock such as a Squire 660 (weatherproof) on it (and maybe a panel above to give extra height) is a useful deterrent. As well as making it difficult for someone to get round the back to snoop out of sight, they have to consider how difficult it will be to get back out when they are carrying all your valuables in your suitcase, or with a laptop under the arm, or to escape in a hurry if someone is after them.

You can put trellis on top of fences and above gates to add height. Although it is not strong, it makes a noise breaking if you try to climb it, and you can train prickly roses through it. I forget the name of the spiky bush. Is it pyrocanthus? Plant at jumping-over or climbing points.

I once had an intruder in such a hurry to escape when the alarm went off that he smashed the side fence to run through the neighbor's garden.

Berberis and pyracanthus are good prickly plants.

Also get solid doors. No glass. Double glazing. Windows and doors that lock effectively. We have lighting - I think it does deter if the burglar is illuminated! We have cameras and a burglar alarm. Put all valuables away and out of sight when you go out. Get a safe.

You need enough security to make it too much effort to burgle you!