So what specifically do burglars look for when deciding which house to target? Here are some attributes that can make a property more attractive to burglars...
Convenient Location
Burglars are all about convenience, but what exactly does it mean to have a house in a convenient location to be burgled?
Location doesn’t just apply to where your house is (quiet street, poorly lit), but where the potential entrances to your property are. If you have an exposed house that’s highly visible from the street, that puts the burglar at high risk of being seen. If your house has alley way entrances, or lots of shrubbery providing ample cover, your property becomes a more attractive target.
Valuables on Display
Burglars are looking to target houses that they can confirm have something valuable inside. If a burglar is able to look through the window and see valuables like expensive electronics (TV, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, Laptops, etc), jewellery, or cash, they have visual confirmation that there are items of value inside, giving them a massive incentive to target your house. Even seeing the empty boxes out for recycling can act as an indication that there are items inside that are worth stealing.
You’re on Holiday
Burglar's favourite type of house to target: an empty one! You can hardly be blamed for going on holiday, but certain giveaways that you're away for a long stretch of time can indicate to thieves that your home is an easy target. Examples include mail piling up on your doorstep, the lights off at all times, and general inactivity.
Knowing that the house is unattended and is unlikely to have visitors in the near future gives thieves a lot of confidence. They are less likely to be caught in the act, giving them plenty of time to comb the house for valuables. It also means that there is likely going to be a long period of days, maybe even weeks, between the crime being committed and the crime being reported, meaning that by the time the police arrive, they’ll be long gone.
Unlocked Doors
This one might seem pretty obvious, but leaving your doors and windows unlocked makes it ridiculously easy for a burglar to enter your home. You’d be surprised at the number of people who forget to lock their back door when they leave the house. Burglars are likely to check every possible entrance, window and door, so leaving even one unlocked could be granting a burglar easy access.
No Security Systems
Perhaps the biggest factor in whether or not a burglar thinks your home is worth targeting is whether or not you have a security system installed.
Having a security system installed reduces the risk of your home being targeted significantly, particularly if said security system is visible to the outside world.
If you’re interested in installing home security measures, why not reach out to IDS Security today to arrange your FREE Survey? One of our expert engineers will come to your premises to conduct a no-obligation security survey, then give a bespoke recommendation on what security systems they think will benefit your property the most.
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Read More: Why Install Burglar Alarms?
