Home Security Review Following Break in Attempt.

[CardiffGuy]

Morning All,

Apologies for the long winded post however i've been up since 2 this morning after being woken up after some thieving scrote nearly made their way into the house via the closed downstairs bathroom window

As Ive not been sleeping well lately, I was out for the count last night after being given meds by my GP only to be woken by the puppy going haywire and growling aggressively at the bathroom door. This is not normal for her and as such as I opened the door, all I seen was the arms of said scrote pulling back, didnt manage to get them as I was in the buff and the backdoor was locked.

My street has not been known for anything like this in anyway shape or form in at least 4 years, after aggression wore off - the realisation of what happened kicked in.

As such I now need to do a full review of home security this weekend.

The puppy(Mekah) done a good job this morning however, does anyone have any advice on how to improve security(legally) in addition to having the dog. House has UPVC throughout and bog standard door and window locks.

Muchos Gracias
C.G.

[gadgetguy]

Sorry to hear that Cardiffguy hope there was not too much damage

I cant offer any specific advice re security but i am sure the local police will have a crime prevention officer who would be happy to come out and give advice on locks security lighting etc.

Good luck and give that dog a biscuit

[Chef]

Very sorry to hear that too, I must admit to hardly ever locking the doors, and windows are generally open at least a fraction to stop condensation and damp (basement flat), I just don't think about it , but my Son does go round after I crash and checks everything inc. all the switches bless him.

Most UPVC doors and windows are built to pretty high spec regards locking.

You didn't say how he got the window open, what damage was done to the window/frame?

Internal door locks would certainly slow anyone down, but then depending on the size of puppy, maybe leaving all doors open would be a better option so he/she can patrol the house more effectively? Seems the pup done a damned good job by alerting you in the first place.

Simple DIY alarm system using PIRs are pretty cheap and dead easy to install, or you can get cheap magnetic contact units for just problem areas like the bthroom window for a few quid.

I was informed last night that my eldest son is having to give up his Boxer puppy, and so we're adopting it, (as he doesn't want anyone else to have him), well my other lad is, he'll be doing any cleaning up after the bugger. Hope it likes the ferret.

[CardiffGuy]

Thanks both.

Chef,

The bathroom window opens a small amount, the officers that attended looked at the window and believe they had used a crowbar(possibly one of the small ones that is easily hidden) due to the markings. They have bent the frame of the small opening window and the main fixings.

The bathroom door itself has an external bolt lock on due to one playful pup sometimes finding toilet paper to tempting and pulling it off the holder.

Whilst she can still be a pain at times(i.e. chewing wires and the one door frame) after this morning, she is worth her weight in gold and more. The soon to be Mrs CG is at home with her friend waiting for the scenes of crime officer to turn up as there is a possibility they attempted to get into the elderly neighbours house also due to muddy footprints going to her door(poor sod is riddled with the big C).

I'm off to B&Q n Wickes later to pick up some PIR lights for the back of the house, due to having a lane at the back of the house and most likely escape route for the scrote, the fencing/walls/ back access is one area that is going to have to be looked into.

C.G.

[Chef]

I'm off to B&Q n Wickes later to pick up some PIR lights for the back of the house, due to having a lane at the back of the house and most likely escape route for the scrote, the fencing/walls/ back access is one area that is going to have to be looked into.

C.G.

They'll definately help, these low-life basts don't like being lit up that's for sure.

These are the simple magnetics I was referring to, very easy to put up with the self adhesive pad included, very loud, and run on coin batteries. Pretty cheap too at 3 for £13, probably find B&Q etc have similar things even cheaper. Pretty effective though.

http://www.healthandcare.co.uk/mobility ... tAodBX9VDw

The ones I had last time I used them didn't have the on/off switch like that though they had a pin hole like the emergency eject on the fron of a DVD player, if the switch sticks out, cut it off so the ******* can't just switch the things off themselves and reset with a pin to slide the switch across.

[maxilaura]

sorry to hear about the attempted break-in CardiffGuy. Very glad the puppy was of help, give her an extra doggie biscuit for being soooo clever.

[Bear86]

I also praise this puppy for it effort once fully grown and trained the dog should have gone through the window after the intruders and chased them down

In time it will learn

[jansman]

This happened to us. Alarm system B n Q. The box alone can put em off. Security lights. Also, they came over the wall at the top and down the garden. So I put broken glass on the wall( dont care if its illegal, so is burglary)and where the garden narrows I put up a seven foot gate with barbed wire on top.

Look at your property like a scum bag would and see the weakness in your security.

[ticklemonkey]

Sorry to hear that CG, bad news indeed, excellent doggy though.
I have a basic knowledge re. Some security tips.
Outside;
Movement activated light,
Cctv and it light
Decent gates with decent locks
Prickly bushes, ouch
Non drying paint on things they climb over and up-great stuff!
Nothing to climb on

Inside;
Nothing on show in windows
Burglar alarm-working
Growly dog
Every door lockable and lock them when going out and to bed
Keep car keys hidden
Decent locks on doors and windows
Keys out of them
Reachable personal alarm
Internal cctv
Don't let anyone you don't know in

Also, get to know neighbours
Neighbourhood watch?
Log valuables onto www.immobilise.com
Uv mark stuff with postcode etc
Liaise with local neighbourhood team,pcsos and pcs
Join police as a special?

Probably forgotten some bits and bobs but hey,

Just some thoughts.

Be safe!

[ticklemonkey]

Also, pretend you have forgotten your key and think how will I get in. Don't leave your door key hidden under your mat!!!!!!