Have you ever looked at your house as though you were a
Burglar, how easy could it be if you for example lost your door key, to get in?
If you can think of a way in then so can a potential Burglar.
Barnet Borough Police would like to offer some ideas to assist
householders and business to deter that unwanted visitor. Burglars will often
commit their crime by choosing the building that gives them the easiest
opportunity, perhaps they see a downstairs window open or they look under the
outside mat and find spare key. Burglars don’t want to get caught; they want to
steal your property. Lets make it harder to commit Burglary on Barnet.
Take steps to reduce burglary
Click Read more to find out how
Have you ever looked at your house as though you were a Burglar, how easy could it be if you for example lost your door key, to get in? If you can think of a way in then so can a potential Burglar.
Barnet Borough Police would like to offer some ideas to assist householders and business to deter that unwanted visitor. Burglars will often commit their crime by choosing the building that gives them the easiest opportunity, perhaps they see a downstairs window open or they look under the outside mat and find spare key. Burglars don’t want to get caught; they want to steal your property. Lets make it harder to commit Burglary on Barnet.
Take steps to reduce burglary
We can all help to deter a potential burglar. Here are some ideas from Barnet Borough Police to help residents secure their homes.
OUTSIDE DOORS
• Any that includes any glass, which could easily be smashed
to aid a thief’s entry.
• Outside doors are safest when fitted with what is called a
“five-lever mortice deadlock”.
You can buy these in most DIY shops, but be sure to look at the facing plate (that’s the bit in the door where the bolt pops out when the key is turned) and for extra piece of mind, you should see a “kite mark” showing the British Standard and the words five-lever, or similar. In some cases, your external door may not be thick enough (recommended thickness is 44mm) you should then consider a “high security rim deadlock” also carrying the British Standard BS3621.
• Door hinges also need to be sturdy as thieves can easily
remove them. Make sure they are secured with good long screws, and for extra security fit hinge bolts to reinforce the hinge side of the door against attack.
If you are considering replacing your whole door rather than the locks, consider a fibreglass door instead of timber and make sure the frame is sturdy. Glass in doors can be prone to attack, but you can minimise the risk by fitting toughened laminated glass (two sheets of glass with a plastic sheet between them).
LETTERBOX
• Fit a restrictor to the inside of your letterbox to stop
anyone reaching through to release any locks and bolts.
• Also a fit a Peephole, otherwise known as a “viewer”, so
you can see who’s knocking before opening the door.
All doors that you would usually lock from the inside should be fitted with mortice security bolts, one third from the top of the door and one third from the bottom.
Laminated glass is the best security option for glazed areas and wooden beading should be glued and fixed with security screws. On modern double glazed units ensure the beading, which holds the glass in, is not on the outside as this makes it easy for a thief to remove the glass.
PATIO DOORS
Patio doors are especially vulnerable to break-ins, so additional security locks should be fitted at the top and bottom to stop the frame being lifted off the tracks, and ensure that the sliding section is always on the inside.
A multi-lock system is recommended with mortice security bolts with removable keys at the top and bottom of both doors, and locks that prevent the doors from being lifted out of their runners. In addition to a multi-lock you should consider installing further security devices such as a burglar alarm or security lighting for overall protection.
Remember, quality locks and bolts are only as strong as the door and the frame to which they are fitted. Check that the frame is well fixed, and if woodwork is weak or rotten make sure you replace it.
Don’t leave a spare key hanging inside the letterbox, under plant pots or doormats or anywhere else around your home.
Thieves know all the hiding places and you will just make their job a lot easier.
ALARMING YOUR HOUSE
Government statistics have shown that around 60 per cent of burglaries carried out on homes fitted with burglar alarms are unsuccessful. This suggests that burglar alarms are a useful deterrent for prospective criminals, but before you rush out and buy a brand new security system follow a few of our tips on security devices for your home in Barnet.
The British Security Industry Association suggests that householder’s use a professional alarm installation company registered with a police recognised “alarm inspectorate” – so ask to see your security company’s registration documents, and look for the following accreditation:
● NSI (National Security Inspectorate) ● NACOSS (National Approval Council for Security
Systems)
● ICON (an approval scheme run by NSI) ● SSAIB (Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board)
Only speak to installers that offer you a free survey and written quotation without obligation, and turn away companies that try to shock you with stories or statistics about burglary in Barnet.
In Barnet burglaries are less common than most people think and violent attacks on people in their homes are extremely rare. You should consider reporting any firms that use shock tactics to your local police or to Barnet trading standards.
There are a few different types of alarm system. The first, and most common, is the traditional “bells only” system.
When professionally fitted these cost around £500 to install plus another £65 per year for a maintenance contract.
DO IT YOURSELF
If this is too expensive for you, fit a DIY system. Although the DIY type may not be as reliable as a professional system, simply having an alarm can be a deterrent, as most burglars tend to choose the easy option, the house without an alarm.
Take a look around your area, and if most homes have an alarm and yours doesn’t, you probably stand more chance of being burgled. Of course, this does depend on many other factors, such as having a dog, or how good the other security features of your home are.
The more expensive option is a “monitored alarm”, which may be worth thinking about if you have a lot of valuable property, or if you are often away from your property.
Monitored alarms are connected to an “alarm receiving centre” where someone will alert the police if an intruder is detected. They cost between £800 and £900 to install and around £200 each year for monitoring and maintenance. The big difference between a bells-only and a monitored burglar alarm is our response. You need to know that police will not respond to a bells-only alarm unless they receive confirmation from you, your family, or someone else nearby that a burglary is in progress.
TOP TECHNOLOGY
Police will respond to a monitored alarm when an alarm-receiving center notifies them. However, newly installed monitored alarms must also use “confirmation”
technology to receive a police response. Here, people at the alarm-receiving centre check using either CCTV (to see an intruder), an audio connection (to hear an intruder) or something called “sequential confirmation”.
Sequential confirmation sounds a bit complicated, but basically this means detecting an intruder using sensors in a number of different places in or around you home – to spot if someone is moving around.
Before deciding on the type of alarm to install check with your insurance company first. They may offer discounts off your premium depending on the type you have fitted and the kind of installer you use. This could help make your choice a little easier.
If installing your own alarm, make sure it meets BS6707 requirements. And if you get a professional in to install it, ensure they meet BS4737 standards.
For more information about crime prevention go to www.met.police.uk/barnet
The MPS is looking to recruit a large number of Police Community Support Officers. If you would like to make a positive difference in your community and earn up to £25,000 for more information please go to www.metpolicecareers.co.uk/pcso
|
Barnet Police News 
