“BURGLARS are looking for easy targets,” says Sgt Tony Davis, Cork’s Crime Prevention Officer, who analyses homes for free to help people avoid becoming those targets.
And as burglaries are higher than average across winter months, he advises extra vigilance now.
“Houses that are not alarmed, and that have no obvious signs of occupancy — with no lights on, or motion, or cars in the drive — tend to be targeted. Burglars will often ring the doorbell, and if it’s unanswered, go around the back and break in,” said Sgt Davis.
Having good security measures, including strengthening entry points around the house reduces opportunity for burglary, and CSO Statistics from Crime and Victimisation Survey 2006 indicate that households with monitored alarms are five times less likely to be burgled.
Sgt Davis said that burglars tend to go straight to ladies’ bedrooms and get as many items of value, particularly gold and jewellery, before leaving quickly.
“Nearly all burglaries occur during the day time, so signs of occupancy — like lighting which can be put on a timer, and using a house alarm — can significantly reduce the risks,” he said.
He also advised people not to let strangers into their home, particularly if they are in any way vulnerable.
“And if you do open the door, make sure that the back door is locked first to prevent anybody sneaking in while you’re distracted with the visitor,” he warned.
“People are very trusting, but intruders can come to the house claiming to be with the corporation or the water board. You’re in charge while someone’s outside your door. If you’re in any way suspicious of the caller, do not let them in, you can instead reschedule for them to call back and have someone you trust in the house with you at that time.”
He said that the current trend with burglaries is for daytime break-ins to empty houses; access is gained through the back; the burglars do not stay long; and gold and jewellery are generally targeted.
“And the burglar will usually be spotted in the neighbourhood, so it’s very important that people report any suspicious behaviour. No one knows the area better than the people living in it. Descriptions of a suspect, or a vehicle can be very useful.”
Sgt Davis is emphatic that neighbours must stay safe, “never put yourself at risk and report suspicious activity to the gardaí,” he said.
If you are going away for the festive holidays, he advised that your home should still look like someone is living in it.
Cancel any newspaper or milk deliveries and ask trusted neighbours to help by collecting your post, opening and closing curtains and parking their car on your driveway.
He also advised that people avoid discussing holiday plans where strangers may hear details of your absence from home.
Important documents and valuable items should be left with other family members or a bank, or be locked in a safe.
Your home address should not be listed on your luggage when you are travelling, and a work address should be listed if you want to label luggage.
If you normally leave valuable bicycles or similar items in your shed, consider putting them in the house.
And make sure that you lock all outside doors and windows and set your house alarm if you have one before you leave.
While you are at home, Sgt Davis suggests putting presents under the Christmas tree early on Christmas morning or keeping the tree out of view from the window to avoid tempting any passers-by.
Approximately one in four burglaries involve forcing a door or breaking glass in the door to access the property, and approximately one in three burglaries involve forcing or breaking windows.
However, in almost one in four burglaries, individuals gained access to properties through unsecured doors or windows, so always lock and bolt your doors and windows at night, or when you leave the house.
If you expect a parcel, make sure someone is there when it is delivered, or ask a neighbour to take it in.
Avoid having it left on the door step, as this is a telltale sign that the house is empty.
Keep keys, mobile phones, purses, wallets and other valuable items locked away out of sight, and do not ever leave your keys in the door, or in view of the windows or doors.
Once you’ve opened all your gifts, don’t leave the boxes on view outside to advertise your good fortune to criminals.
A key tactic in burglary prevention is avoidance and not just by alarming your property.
Sgt Davis advises chaining-up wheelie bins as far away from your house as possible so that a burglar cannot stand on it to gain access to the first floor of your house.
Join your local Neighbourhood Watch/Community Alert, and secure your front door and make sure your windows have window locks.
Always fix broken garden gates and put a wire basket on the inside of your letter box — it prevents burglars from fishing for keys through the letterbox.
Keep suitcases and bags stored in the attic, or with their handles tied together, to ensure that any would-be thieves do not have ready access to vessels that can transport stolen items out of your house.
Sgt Davis advised keeping windows and doors shut and locked, even when you are at home, because a thief can burgle your property even when someone is inside, for example, when they see a bathroom light go on.
Always use an alarm, if you have one, even if you are only leaving the home for a short period of time.