• Why are some houses targeted by burglars and not others?

    Why are some houses targeted by burglars and not others? In my experience, most burglars aren't like the crew from Oceans 11, they're oportunists. Lets take a look at some of the contributing factors and what we can do to limit them. Why do some houses get targeted by burglars and how to prevent it! Inadequate Security Firstly, a basic lack of security is one of the biggest [...]

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    What Do You Know About BS3621?

    What Do You Know About BS3621? No-one Knows – Or Cares! Aviva have been running an excellent advert recently about buildings insurance where they mention locks needing to meet BS3621. We take a look at the standard. Do you know whether your door locks meet BS 3621 standards? It’s a difficult question that can baffle and bemuse anyone without an in-depth knowledge of security product [...]

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    Insurance company requirements The following security requirements have been copied from two 2010 popular home insurance company’s schedules, not their policy documents or booklets, but the schedule that is sent to you as part of the confirmation letter when you have renewed or taken out cover with a new insurer.  The bit that details security requirements will be found at the back [...]

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    Why Did Chubb Locks Change their Brand? We wanted to share this excellently written article! Written by Jonathan | https://www.safe.co.uk/safezone/2013/11/chubb-locks-are-changing-name/ Jonathan Resident security expert at Safe.co.uk with over 10 years experience in all aspects of home security. After almost 200 years of manufacture, Chubb Locks are one of the most trusted [...]

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    Cambridge locksmiths

    Cambridge based family run Locksmith.... Looking for a locksmith in Cambridge? We are physically located in Sawston, South Cambridge. We are not a call centre or franchise claiming to be local! Do not be fooled by these pretenders. Some of these firms do not even have a single locksmith in their employ. What they do is promise you an engineer within the hour and then start calling [...]

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    Checkatrade Reviews Reliability & timekeeping - 9.96  Tidiness - 9.77  Courtesy - 9.96  Workmanship - 9.98 100%based on 29 reviews Invoice history Charged as per quote / estimate 100% Appointment history Appointments reported as missed in the past 6 months (please note we cannot verify this figure)0 56 reviews 36 reviews for work [...]

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    Burglary Prevention

    If a burglary is currently happening or has just happened and the offenders may still be in the area, please call 999 immediately. If you return home to find that a burglary has taken place, you can report this to the police online or you may call us on 101. They will attend your address as soon as possible to; take details, including any missing items assess the scene for forensic [...]

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    Car crime is on the rise

    Car crime is on the rise – here's how to avoid being a victim  Despite advances in technology, car crime is still a problem CREDIT: SEAN DEMPSEY/PA  Alex Robbins  26 OCTOBER 2017 • 9:16PM Car crime -Your car is an object of desire. That goes without saying – why else would you have bought it? But the problem is it’s not just an object of desire[...]

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    Free Home Safety Assessment

    First and foremost there can never be a foolproof final solution to the home invasion problem. This does not mean we shouldn't do everything in our power to prevent it. Thieves will often choose the path of least resistance, meaning, a vulnerable property with very basic security will often be chosen as the target over a more secure neighbour.  For helpful tips look at our blog "Simple [...]

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    ageuk security tips

    Crime prevention Security in your home Safety when you're out and about What to do if you're a victim of crime Security in your home Most burglars are opportunists and they will look for unlocked doors or opened windows to get in. Securing your doors and windows Two-thirds of burglars gain entry through a door and one third get in through a window. Fitting your doors[...]

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    'Support your neighbourhood watch' 

    Cerberus Security Locksmiths - Cambridgeshire We are a genuine Cambridgeshire based family run business (We are not a call centre or franchise). Call 01223 902234 'Support your neighbourhood watch' http://www.cambs.police.uk/crimeprevention/nhw/ Our ability to spot unusual activity and spread the word within our local community is possibly our best defence against burglary and home invasion. Your[...]

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    Crime Prevention

    Officers will focus on crime prevention measures, and provide security advice to residents in order to combat burglary, vehicle crime and theft. South Cambridgeshire is a large rural community, and crime analysis has shown the area does not follow an identifiable crime pattern, as you might see in an urban area. Therefore crime prevention and intelligence led patrols are key factors to reduce [...]

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    Burglary

    Burglary What can we do to protect ourselves from burglary? Homes with no security measures in place are five times more likely to be burgled than those with simple security measures. Good window locks and strong deadlocks can make a big difference. Taking just a few steps can make a big difference in keeping your home safe from burglary. Here are a few tips: Lock your doors and windows [...]

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    You can't out run a bear!

    You play with matches, you get burnt! Lets show these light fingered larsonists the definition of being Caught Red Handed. We won't pretend that there is a foolproof solution for home security just as there is none for the internet but we can certainly help. Think of us as your real world McAfee! What we can do is make it as difficult as possible with the hope that they'll find an easier[...]

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    Simple Security Measures

    Simple Security Measures There are a number of simple security measures ways you can reduce the chances of being burgled. Burglars go for easy targets, so make your house a bit more difficult for them. Here are some tips and recommendations for securing your home: Burglars don’t usually break in at the front of a house because they are more likely to be seen. Ideally they want to get to the [...]

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    Simple Security Measures There are a number of simple security measures ways you can reduce the chances of being burgled. Burglars go for easy targets, so make your house a bit more difficult for them. Here are some tips and recommendations for securing your home: Burglars don’t usually break in at the front of a house because they are more likely to be seen. Ideally they want to get to the [...]

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    Have Your Say Monday

    On Monday things can seem so bleak, It being the start of the working week, When Friday seems so far away, So long until you get to play, So let us see what we can do, To make this Monday seem less blue, By letting you all have a say, In what offers you would like today, We'll try to keep an open mind, And together leave those blues behind, So send us your suggestions fast, You won't want [...]

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    Sawston based locksmith

    Sawston's One And Only Genuine Locksmith.... Sawston's One And Only Genuine Locksmith.... We are physically located in Sawston South Cambridge and are not a call centre or franchise away claiming to be local! Do not be fooled by these pretenders. Some of these firms do not even have a single locksmith in their employ. What they do is promise you an engineer within the hour and then start [...]

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  • Simple Security Measures

    There are a number of simple security measures ways you can reduce the chances of being burgled. Burglars go for easy targets, so make your house a bit more difficult for them.

    Here are some tips and recommendations for securing your home:

    Burglars don’t usually break in at the front of a house because they are more likely to be seen.

    Ideally they want to get to the back of the house. Not being able to get into the back garden could easily be enough for a potential intruder to try another house.

    Gate & Fence

    • Fit high (6ft) 1.8m side gates with a latch. Having the latch at the top of the gate is a weakness-most burglars know to put their arm over the top to undo the latch so either fit a padlock to it or consider a second bolt further down as well.

    • I’ve chased enough burglars over garden fences to know they are well practiced at hopping fences. So if you like gardening, perhaps consider a nice thorny holly bush or adding some trellis to the top of your fence (600mm).  Alternatively, you can also use ‘prickle strips’ to deter a fence hopping burglar. (From personal experience of chasing a burglar over a fence with prickle strips on, I can assure you they really do hurt).

    Shed

    • Secure your shed. It is really common for burglars to break into your shed and then use your own tools to force a door or window of your house. Padlock your shed, don’t leave it open!

    • Consider installing a simple, inexpensive, battery operated shed alarm. You can also secure items inside using a ‘shed shackle’ or similar device, see http://www.soldsecure.com for suppliers.

    • Properly code items using a paint pen or etching and register items such as mowers and power tools with http://www.immobilise.com  where you can register anything with a serial number and police forces use the system to track stolen property.

    Burglar image 1

    Simple measures like these can help to deter an intruder before they approach your home.

    Lighting

    • Security lights. Yes, these really do work. Read here: https://southcambscops.org/2014/02/21/waterbeach-burglars-convicted/ This pair burgled several houses in one night but turned tail and ran from a house fitted with a simple motion activated security light.

    • Light timers are a good deterrent too. Most people don’t get home from work until well after 5pm, but in the winter it gets dark before 4pm. No lights on are an easy way for burglars to locate an unoccupied house.

    Cameras

    • CCTV is not as costly as many people believe and can be an effective tool in preventing a break in and at catching those responsible. If CCTV is what you want, I recommend avoiding the dome type cameras, they’re harder to spot and you want a potential intruder to spot the camera and be frightened away. Go for one that stands out. I particularly like the combination of a security light with a camera near it. When the light activates, an intruders’ natural reaction is to look at it. If they see a camera next to it, they will know you just got a shot of their face….and won’t stick around after that.

    Alarms

     Window alarms! – My personal favourite. Cheap as chips and super effective. These little devices attach to the inside of a window with adhesive tape and activate an alarm if the window is knocked near deafening the would-be thief. To prove their effectiveness, this guy was foiled by a window alarm: https://southcambscops.org/2014/11/21/gareth-farrington-the-unlucky-burglar-convicted/ You can turn them on/off from the inside with the flick of a switch and often you can adjust the sensitivity. I’ve got these on my ground floor windows and one on my back door too. They’re my top recommendation.

     House alarms are not as expensive as you may think. An off the shelf D.I.Y. system will cost between £150 and £200 (also consider fitting an auto-dialler @ £12 which will contact a list of numbers you have programmed in when the alarm is triggered). Monitored alarms for an average size property will typically be between £700 and £800. If you have high value items or you spend a lot of time away from home on holidays or business, it could be worth the investment. Always obtain at least two/ three quotes if you are purchasing a monitored alarm, or having a company install the system for you. Look for approved installers, see http://www.nsi.org.uk or go to S.S.I.A.B. approved installers to ensure the price and service are fair.

    Burglar image 2

    A few simple steps

    • It is really common to find that a burglar has gained access to a house via a French door or patio door because they haven’t been adequately secured. Turning the key usually locks one door to the other. Make sure the second door is bolted too; small (mortice, or shoot-bolts) should go up and down into the door frame.  Also look for hinge bolts on French doors to help secure the hinges, and prevent jemmy attacks.  Patio doors should also be secured at the top and bottom of the opening section, check your patio door cannot be lifted out of the frame using a tool. Patio door locking bars are available, and window alarms can also be used on these doors too.

    Where do you keep your keys?

    • Where do you keep your keys? An opened up wire coat hanger can be used to reach your keys and pull them out through the letterbox. Then the burglar can just let himself in or take your car off your drive. Don’t keep your keys anywhere near the doors or windows, they should be well out of view.  Ideally take them up to bed with you at night.

    • Everyone keeps their most valuable possessions, jewellery, expensive watches etc. in their bedroom. That’s why most burglars head straight for the master bedroom and go through the wardrobe and drawers. Hide your sentimental items that cannot be replaced. The loft, cupboard under the stairs, kitchen cabinets, the teapot – be imaginative, where wouldn’t a burglar think to look?

    • Sometimes when we arrest a burglar we find plenty of stolen goods. But often we can’t return it to the owner because we can’t tell who it belonged to.  For tools and equipment consider marking them clearly using a paint-pen or indelible marker, anything to mark them out as yours, there are also tamper-proof labels available, or etching kits.

    Register Valuables

    • Register your valuables on: https://www.immobilise.com/index.php If you’ve got a nice pedal cycle, be sure to register it on the immobilise website and remember to include the frame number. Immobilise is especially useful for recording more unique items such as jewellery or antiques as you can take digital photos and add them to your online record.

    • Encourage your friends to join eCops so they know what is going on in their area.

    Neighbourhood Watch

    • Check whether there’s a group in your area already. You can do this by checking the national         Neighbourhood and home Watch website http://www.ourwatch.org.uk or contacting your area NHW representative by posting a request on the county website http://www.cambsnhw.org.uk

    Christmas crime prevention:

    • Do not leave tempting gift wrapped presents on show.
    • Do not leave presents in vehicles. If possible keep them indoors an out of sight.
    • Communities can keep an eye out for elderly and vulnerable neighbours and encourage them follow security precautions.
    • Do not leave empty boxes which could advertise Christmas purchases in plain site.
    • Once your gifts are unwrapped, they can be registered for free on the Immobilise database http://www.immobilise.com