Burglar alarms and security

[user2348]

Hello,
Hoping I can get some advice. I've been away and I have Ring security cameras that caught a burglar in a balaclava coming round my side access into my garden, checking my windows, before climbing over my fence and burgling my neighbours - climbing up side of their house into a small, open window. He then strangely went back into my garden, round to my front garden, and had a pee...then calmly left out of my front gate.
It's made me really scared as people say he will try again.
I'm looking at securing my side access but this will take a bit of time, and also more security lighting and considering a burglar alarm. But they are expensive with contracts - so far had quotes for ADT and Banham.
Any tips on security and feeling less shaken up as a woman living alone?

That's shit, hope you're ok?

If he opened your gate then can you get a lock or lock & padlock/lockable bolts?

Make sure all your windows have locks and use them, especially the downstairs ones.

I think a dog is the best burglar deterrent...not very practical I know!

I have had an alarm fitted recently, was a 'kit' fitted by a local company, cost was about £550. I was put off by ADT heavy sales guy, too pushy and I didn't like being locked into a contract.

I get a text reminder if my alarm goes off (only happened once - it was my lodger) and I think I can remotely set/unset it on my phone.

Do you have a neighbourhood watch scheme in your area? I have one with a WhatsApp group - you can't fart down my street without the busybodies messaging about it....not my style, but I have an angry ex and I told the group about him and I know if anything suspicious happens at my property - like my alarm going off etc - someone will report to the police rather than ignoring it. We also use the group for finding each other missing cats etc

I think burglars go for the easiest option - especially if your in a 'normal' house, so you just have to make it harder/less attractive for them to target you.

Great advice @fastliving Thank you! I like the sound of the whats app group...I am going to find out about neighbourhood watch, but not sure there is one.
What is the name of your alarm company, please? I don't much like the pushy ADT guy either.
Unfortunately the burglar climbed over my neighbour's front garden fence into my side access - hard to explain without seeing, but it's going to take a while to fix as neighbours need to agree/the solution will require some work.
I have UPVC windows but can't find the keys for the locks which isn't helping...Doing all I can to deter otherwise - lights, stickers saying CCTV/beware of dog! A dog is a good option - although a big commitment!!

@user2348

replacement window keys

It will be easier for you if you can find at least one key that fits, even if you have to borrow it from a neighbour. Otherwise look for a brand name, or send them a photo.

I recommend putting a cup-hook in the top corner of the windowframe in every room, furthest from the opening part, where it cannot be seen or reached from outside, and will be concealed by the curtains inside, but you'll know where it is.

What’s a cup hook @PigletJohn?

The alarm company I used was very local, I asked for recommendations on the whatapps group I mentioned.

I would just google alarm companies, local to you, and see if they have any reviews online.

I had 3 alarm guys come out, (inc pushy ADT) and I went with the person that I trusted the most, just remember to ask them to change the 'admin' code as apparently they are all the same, which didn't seem very secure to me!

They also do an annual service for aprox £70 to make sure everything is working and that includes the app service subscription.

Agree about getting window keys as a priority....I'm sure ebay will have them if you know the make of your windows as i think the keys are pretty standard.

Ask on FB/neighbours if there is a neighbour-hood watch scheme in your area.

Can you put 'anti-pigeon' spikes on the fence as a temporary measure?

A hook that you hang a cup on, by the handle

or a key, or a bunch of keys

frequently found on the underside of kitchen drawers and on dressers.

they screw in

A pack of 25 will cost you £3 on fleabay

hardware stores often sell smaller packs at a higher price

on the underside of kitchen shelves, I mean.

If you haven't got the money for an actual alarm, a fake one on the front of your house would be a deterrent. As would fake Cctv (obvs get real if can afford... and try and get at least one camera that is at face height as cctv is useless if it only sees the tops of heads.. need to be able to identify people on it!). Noises things like gravel drives/gardens put off burglars. They look for easy things like small open windows (upstairs as well as downstairs), windows and doors in poor condition, easy access to back of house (so high gate that locks with vandal strip across the top is a deterrent... but make sure there's nothing around that they can use for a leg up - the number of people with 6ft locked gates with the wheelie bin next to it is ridiculous!!)
Security lights.

If you've got a nice car some burglars will do whatever it takes to get in whatever security you put in place because they steal to order and they want the car key and nothing else. Make sure car keys are always put somewhere hidden and secure... it'll take them longer to find which is more risky for them.

I was a detective on a burglary squad for a few years

Look for an independent company who can fit a standalone alarm system without monitoring, preferably to include some security lighting & cctv cameras. Nothing puts a burglar off quicker than a property with security, it means they move on to somewhere else that is less protected, they don't like being disturbed, put lights on timers, a radio too, make your home look occupied even when empty.

I've got the Yale Smart Home Alarm, you can buy it from Screwfix for £250. You don't have to be particularly handy to put it up, but I think a local handyman could do it pretty easily if you can't. It works via WiFi. It texts me if there's any motion or a burglar.

I've fitted star locks on my internal doors. The only way into my house from the back is the kitchen. So they'd have to break down the kitchen door too, at which point my alarm would have been activated and I'd be able to get out of the house safely. Again, only cost a few quid (£5 off ebay) and very easy to fit.

After getting broken into, I've come to the realisation that outdoor cctv etc isn't a deterrent to somebody in a balaclava, so my main aim is to make sure that I am alerted and can make myself safe in the event of a break in when I'm in the house.

Thanks all. Great advice.

@TokenGinger - that's really interesting you have the Yale alarm. I was looking at that today. Do you think it's as good as the ones you pay a monthly fee for, etc? What's the difference? And what are star locks?

We have a Yale alarm we can set and monitor remotely, it was straight-forward to have installed, is linked to cameras and easy to manage. An ADT salesman walked past our house twice one day and noticed it being burgled but did fuck all. They lost a lot of business in our area that day, I can tell you. Fuckers.

If you’ve got a real nice car and you’re in the house, not away on holiday..

Trust me! Put your key in the console table or jacket or whatever by the front door. Put it in a metal box or fob jamming bag so they can’t do a remote hack. But if they want your car. The will smash the crap out of your house or you! till they get it.

Better they get it sooner without going for you. They aren’t like your regular burglar looking for stuff to sell on gumtree.

But otherwise my tip would be flashing alarm box. Crunchy border or drive. And 2 locks on your door one 2/3 up and the other 1/3 down if a wooden door. And anti snap/bump cylinders. Cheap upvc multipoint locks can be opened in seconds with a bump key and rubber hammer/screw driver end. Also older upvc doors can be melted by the cylinder and they just slide out.

Our cameras are internal as well as external. Positioned so anyone coming in can’t be missed. Yes too to locks on all windows and external doors with hinge/frame locks/bolts too (you can’t see them but they stop anyone busting doors open via the hinge).

One note on alarms, if you pay monthly or they’re linked to an external monitoring service be aware of any penalty fees for false alarms (happens more than you might expect!).

If you have Ring security cameras, why not buy the Ring alarm kit? Retails at £249 (but has recently been on offer with £50 off).
It's very easy to set up yourself. You probably already have the app.
We've not had it long but it makes us feel more secure. It only has stickers to put on your front window though, in case you wanted something more prominent.

@curlyrebel that’s a v good idea! I want a box for outside the house though. Could just buy a dummy one and fit the Ring alarm system. I need to think. I just hate signing up to contracts but I’m after peace of mind, which I don’t have right now. I’m in south London. And crime does seem to be on rise around here :(

Does the Yale alarm have a flashing light?

Thanks! Great ideas!!

I second those anti vandal strips along th top of fences and gates to stop anyone climbing over (hard plastic small rounded spikes, hurts to put your hand on them). Very cheap to buy, dead easy to fix to the fence.

My alarm system was installed by a local company, it costs £7 a month which is for the data card in it (i think!) It's wifi and remote access so I can turn the alarm on and off wherever I am, and it sends a notification to my phone if the alarm goes off. There's senors in the downstairs rooms and one on the front door.

The front door has a special security key, and the back doors are pvc patio doors but have anti snap locks on that came with a guarantee that if anyone broke in via the lock they'd pay out £1000.

I got broken into a couple of years ago by what we think we're people thinking they'd got next door, who we think were growing drugs in the loft. All they did was open the loft hatch and then realise it was the wrong house, so they opened wardobes and drawers in my room and left. Didn't take anything. That's when I got all the extra security. It takes about 30 seconds to snap a normal lock on a pvc door!

@user2348 Sorry I'm only just replying! I've never had a monthly fee alarm so I have nothing to compare it to, but the alarm definitely does the job for me. I've had it for two years now and I can't complain. It messages me when the alarm is switched on/off or if there's any movement detected in the house. I've found it to be really reliable.

Star locks are a lock you can put on your internal doors which can only be locked from one side. I have a key on my living room side but there's nothing on the kitchen side for a burglar to break.

Oh, it has a box outside, too. Though I'm not sure if it flashes or not! I've never looked 🙈