Burglary is undeniably one of the most impactful offences. Whether that’s in the emotional impact of the crime, or the financial ramifications that have ripples beyond what we’d ever expect, the sinking feeling as you realise you’ve lost your belongings and the sanctity of your home is incomparable.
As part of our ongoing commitment to consistently providing security for businesses across the UK, we were honoured to spend some time in the company of the Lancashire Partnership Against Crime and reformed career burglar Darryl Kennedy. We were privy to what truly makes the criminal world tick, and how – as homeowners – we can take measures to deter and ultimately prevent burglary.
Our tips have all come directly from Darryl himself, and revolve around not only keep your home safe and secured, but in ensuring that burglars are discouraged long before the break-in ever occurs. We’ll also focus on the practicalities, and how you’ll be able to implement those tips in a timely and effective manner.
On Wednesday, 7th August 2024, we were honoured to be invited to attend the latest seminar from the Lancashire Partnership Against Crime (LANPAC), titled A Journey From Crime To Community Support.
Delivered by LANPAC in conjunction with former career burglar turned expert public speaker Darryl Kennedy, the session focused on the far-reaching impacts of burglary, Darryl’s experiences, and what we as members of the public can do to mitigate the risks levelled against our properties.
A prolific career criminal with more than 20,000 burglaries and 4 decades of experience in professional burglary, Darryl’s thoughts and insights into a world we weren’t familiar with were absolutely invaluable.
We were exposed to what we’d consider to be insider information, a true opportunity to view crime from the other side of the lens. It’s seminars like these that give us as a security firm the awareness of an entirely different side to what we do, and a unique perspective on what we can do to support our clients.
Of course, this article in no way seeks to absolve Darryl of what he’s previously done. The seminar itself was also a superb insight into his multiple incarcerations, his experiences in the restorative justice system, and his community support work, all of which give a more clear indicator towards his mindset now.
Instead, we’ll focus on the advice he imparted – advice that’s simply unobtainable from someone without the life experiences and understanding of career criminality that Darryl has – and what that might mean for you, your home and your belongings.
We’re using advice from Darryl, alongside the experts at the Lancashire Partnership Against Crime, to compile several key pieces of advice to keep your home protected against burglars, thieves and trespassers throughout the year.
One key pointer to keep in mind as you read through these tips, and something that Darryl was keen to stress throughout the seminar, is that most people don’t actively consider deterring burglars.
As we found out directly from Darryl, that’s a huge and often costly mistake. All of the tips we’re presenting are based on measures you can take to deter burglary before it can ever become an issue.
A shock revelation from the seminar was that burglars are often emboldened by an ability to get into a back yard or garden. It’s often viewed as the first port of call for burglars, and usually signifies that they’ve passed that initial hurdle that could potentially stop them from entering your home.
A burglar in your back garden essentially has free reign to do as they will, whether that’s checking that your doors and windows are locked, scoping out the property for a later visit, or actively entering the property. In fact, the latest statistics show that an estimated 30% of all burglaries happen through the back door.
The rear of your property is also often less overlooked, meaning a burglar will feel more comfortable, and more likely to burgle your property. There’s simple measures you can put into place, however.
Installing a deadbolt on your garden gate, or upgrading your fencing to more robust options, will both offer an additional layer of protection in that regard. CCTV cameras (which we’ll touch on more shortly) on the side of your property can also act as a strong deterrent, as well as a quick warning system should anyone decide to target your property.
We’d also suggest moving anything that could be used as a ledge or climbable object (such as your bins or additional storage) away from fences. While this may not fully stop a particularly determined burglar, it does offer a minor yet simple-to-implement deterrent.
One of the staples of securing any property, CCTV has in recent years become far more commonplace and far more affordable than it ever has been. From the video doorbells and smart cameras that are now perched outside many UK homes, to more robust cameras on larger properties, there’s a range of different options available.
Of course, while these have seen substantial uptake, there are still plenty of homes that don’t have them. They’re not just a feature of convenience, though – they play a pivotal role in securing homes.
Opting for a CCTV solution that connects to your smartphone or device is an ideal way to ensure you’ve got that safety net wherever you are. Many modern cameras send automated alerts when movement is detected, which can often be the first opportunity you get to deter a burglar, or to alert the relevant emergency services.
While many of us will already have outdoor lights – either on the front, back or both sides of the property – the truth of the matter is that we very rarely check whether or not these are still working effectively.
Whether that’s a burnt out bulb, defective wiring, or simply being switched off as part of a misguided energy saving initiative, it’s crucial that you ensure your outdoor lights are in full working order.
One of the key takeaways from Darryl’s seminar was the cruciality of having a working outdoor light, particularly at the back of the property. He spoke at length about how that light can act as a huge deterrent to burglars, and while it might be tempting to leave it inactive, burglars can and do look for this.
It’s that that we’d really reinforce here. While it’s all too easy to let your outdoor light stop working, it’s massively important that you replace or upgrade it as soon as possible, especially if you’re looking to deter burglars as much as possible.
We’ve fast become a nation of shoppers. With the omnipresence and convenience of places like Amazon, it’s become all too easy to shop online and receive our parcels with lightning pace. That’s by no means a new development, but what may well be is that burglars have started to recognise that.
With our parcels arriving in big boxes often emblazoned with their logos, it’s become an easy indicator for burglars which houses may be more affluent than others. Games consoles, smart devices and laptops are all regular purchases, and leaving marked boxes outside gives burglars all too clear an indication.
If you recycle, always make sure boxes – even for larger products like televisions – are broken down and out of sight. Most properties will have a recycling initiative, so it’s crucial you keep any obvious logos (such as high end TVs or games consoles) away from prying eyes and, wherever possible, in a large bin.
Even if you don’t recycle currently, it’s still a great idea to keep boxes out of vision of any potential burglars or thieves. Whether that’s in a regular bin, or even in your home until you get a spare moment to take them to a recycling plant, it’s integral you do all you can to avoid inadvertently advertising your purchases.
Our home is often a huge point of pride, and there’s nowhere that’s more true than in how we decorate. Whether that’s a fresh lick of paint, an upgraded fascia, or simply a spruce up of your gardens, we’re naturally proud of where we live.
However, while certain features may look aesthetically pleasing, they can also present a security vulnerability that burglars are able to take huge advantage of. That’s especially true of concertina or folding doors, which are often predominantly made of glass.
These can be easily smashed, especially if they’re improperly fitted or you’ve opted for single glazing. They’re also an ideal choice for burglars, in that they can be broken with minimal noise, and offer easy access to the property.
One of the key pieces of guidance that Darryl imparted was, while it can be an expensive improvement, double and even triple glazing is a must-have if you do enjoy the additional light and space that concertina doors offer.
More modern (and by extension more expensive) folding doors will come with this as standard, particularly with an eye towards energy saving as well as security,. However, if your property has older models, it’s an excellent idea to look at upgrading these doors as a priority.
It’s thought that more than 60% of all burglaries happen through an unsecured door. That might come as a surprise, but it’s an unfortunate truth that the front door would often be the first place a burglar would try.
While the vast majority of us will take the time each morning to lock the door as we leave for work or on the school run, it’s equally true that many front doors don’t offer the level of protection or deterrence that’s needed to discourage a burglar at that first hurdle.
There’s options available, however. Composite front doors – often referred to by their brand name of “Rock” doors – have long been touted as an ideal solution to that startling statistic we mentioned earlier, and for good reason.
These use multiple different materials to create a more sturdy frame, almost resembling the construction of a fire door. They’ve quickly gained popularity in recent years, especially so as they’ve become more in-line with modern home design options, and they’ve only become more affordable in that time.
Of course, given their nature, they still represent a substantial investment for the average consumer, but they do offer a comparable level of peace of mind.
While we’re often tempted to give our pets free reign of the house while we’re out and about, our conversations with Darryl really opened our eyes to why that can spell trouble, especially where burglars are concerned.
Seeing a dog or cat roaming a home indicates that an alarm hasn’t been set – else your pet would trigger it – and acts almost as an invitation to a burglar that the property won’t be alarmed, and won’t alert neighbours.
There are options available, however. Keeping your pets out of sight while you’re away means you can either opt to set an alarm for the ground floor of your property (with your cat or dog safely confined to upstairs), or leave the alarm deactivated without that clear indicator that a pet inadvertently offers.
You might also choose to leave your dog or cat with a relative or friend while your property is vacant. This is of course the ideal option, as it means your pet can still stretch their legs, and you don’t need to worry about them triggering your burglar alarm. It’s not always possible, however.
Alternatively, some modern alarm systems have started to integrate with AI-assisted technology, meaning that they won’t trigger with the presence of an animal, but will with something larger (like a burglar or trespasser). This is still emerging technology, but it does potentially give us a glimpse into the future of what we can expect for home security.
One of the most basic tips to avoid robbery is to lock your windows and doors. It’s that first step towards keeping your property safe, but many neglect to keep other points of entry safe, or make it all too easy for a burglar to continue should they gain access to your property.
That includes many desirable features, such as porches, storm shelters, or conservatories which – while it’s tempting to leave them unlocked with your front or back door locked – offer clear passage to a burglary should they break in.
Porches and storm shelters are particularly guilty of this. As we touched on earlier, more than 60% of all burglaries happen through the front of the property, and neglecting to lock your porch door can mean a burglar faces no obstacles once they’ve gotten past that first door.
Conservatories are in a similar boat. While we’ll tend to lock our back door or gate access to the garden, it’s all too easy to forget to lock your conservatory door. It’s crucial that we double check these additional entry points, especially as they can offer that deterrence we need to stop a burglar taking any further steps into our property.
A point that Darryl was keen to stress is how we can protect our homes should the worst happen, and a burglar does gain entry. While the tips so far have naturally focused on how to prevent that first step from happening, it’s a grim reality that it can and does still happen.
He pointed out that many burglars – especially those who’ve got experience or that want to quickly enter and leave the property with the maximum impact – will immediately target the master bedroom.
Not only is this usually where most people keep their valuables like jewellery, cameras, and expensive clothing, it’s also usually on display. Think about how often you might leave a watch on a bedside table, or even expensive perfumes and tech like straighteners and hairdryers on the bed.
A small security lock or deadbolt on your master bedroom door – or a dressing room/walk-in wardrobe – can deter a burglar at that early stage, far before they can ever take anything of value. Couple that with an active alarm system, which will no doubt be a deterrent in itself, and you’ll pile the pressure onto any trespassers.
This may seem counterintuitive, especially when it comes to guidance from the fire department, but it can make a major difference when you’re not in your home. In fact, Darryl himself said this was one of the biggest hurdles he faced, and although it may go against current guidelines from police and fire brigades, it can stop a burglar in their tracks.
Our final tip is an all-too-common pitfall that many of us have fallen victim to. Holidays and trips away are the highlight of many of our years, and it’s completely understandable that we’d want to shout about our latest jet-setting endeavours. However, as we found out, that’s arguably one of the worst things you can do.
In an age where social media is used by everyone and anyone, and our private lives are more on display than they’ve ever been, boasting about our holidays can go out to a wider audience than we might ever realise.
While our sunlit snaps and cocktails by the beach are the ideal fodder for your social media feed, they’re also a clear indicator to everyone that you’re away from your property. Burglars can and do see this, and it’s becoming far more common that thefts do occur off the back of a misguided social post.
The same is true of word-of-mouth. While we’ll generally only tell those we feel like we can trust, word spreads fast, and it’s best to keep those you tell about your holiday plans to a minimum, and ideally just close friends and family.
This also has the dual benefit of allowing those trusted people to keep an eye on your property while you’re away. That’s an ideal solution, in that you can ask relatives or trusted friends to turn on the lights or draw the curtains while you’re away, which makes your property still look occupied even when you’re not there.
