What attracts burglars to homes?

Author: Justina Mante  |  Last update: Monday, June 13, 2022

Burglars don't want to be seen. They looked for homes with big fences and overgrown trees or bushes. “Home away from other homes, blind spots, older window frames, cheap wooden doors,” wrote a burglar. “Large trees, bushes or shrubs around the home, or very reserved and conservative neighbors,” wrote another inmate.

What makes a house attractive to burglars?

The way your house is landscaped or built can make your home attractive to thieves. They like places to hide. Bushes growing under windows and low-hanging trees are a thief's best friend.

Which houses do burglars avoid?

7 & 8) Two Story Homes & Apartments on High Floors

They usually stick to jewelry and cash, items that they can easily carry. For this reason, burglars usually avoid two story homes, since these items will more than likely be upstairs in the master bedroom and burglars like to minimize the time they stay in a home.

What is the most common ways burglars enter homes?

How Do Burglars Break into Houses?
  • Front door: 34% of burglars twist the doorknob and walk right in.
  • First-floor windows: 23% use a first-floor open window to break into your home.
  • Back door: 22% come in through the back door.
  • Garage doors: 9% gain entrance through the garage.

How do you scare burglars away?

Get More Tips
  1. Don't advertise big buys. An empty computer or television carton left on the curb is a flag to crooks. ...
  2. Ask for a reference. Before hiring anyone, get personal recommendations. ...
  3. Keep your mail out of reach. ...
  4. Stay well-trimmed. ...
  5. Get a virtual pet. ...
  6. Call the police. ...
  7. Know your neighbors.

Home burglars talk about how they choose targets

At what time do most burglaries occur?

The most common times for break-ins occur between 10 am and 3 pm. Rather than being guarded by night, most burglars choose the daytime to attempt a break-in, targeting homes when they believe no one will be present.

Can you hit a burglar?

Yes, but only under certain circumstances. And you would almost certainly face detailed police questions about your actions. The police and courts would have to be satisfied that when the burglar died, you were engaging in what the law regards as legitimate self-defence.

Does leaving a light on at night deter burglars?

Do security lights deter burglars? Yes, they can. Light makes it hard for them to conceal their identity, so they are more likely to find a darker home.

Do burglars smash windows?

Burglars usually break your window only if they can't bypass your door and window locking system. However, often, they look for another target rather than smash the glass.

How can you tell if someone is casing your house?

Signs a Burglar is Watching Your House
  1. Strange Cars Parked in Your Neighborhood. ...
  2. Strangers Walking Down Your Street. ...
  3. People Pretending to Conduct a Survey. ...
  4. People Pretending to Sell You Something. ...
  5. Strangers With an Emergency or in Need of Help. ...
  6. Strangers Taking Pictures of Your Home. ...
  7. Random Flyers Showing Up on Your Door.

How do thieves choose their victims?

The four main ways a burglar will choose their job include the following: Look for vulnerable folks (elderly, those living alone, easy targets, etc.) Opportunistic (very little forethought or planning) Desirability of property (smarter criminals)

What do burglars steal the most?

Here are the top items in the burglars' wish list that they take during a break-in and the places that they usually look in:
  • Cash. Why do burglars steal at all? ...
  • Jewellery and watches. ...
  • Small electronics. ...
  • Medicines. ...
  • Designer clothing and accessories. ...
  • Keys. ...
  • Personal information. ...
  • Food, alcohol, and grocery items.

How do I make my house less attractive to burglars?

Here are 10 ways to make your home unattractive to burglars:
  1. Think like a crook. Look for places that get dark at night, that have access or aren't easily visible to neighbors or from the street. ...
  2. Trim shrubbery. ...
  3. Shine a light. ...
  4. Be alarming. ...
  5. Keep 'em guessing. ...
  6. Be a good neighbor. ...
  7. Look out below. ...
  8. Deny access.

Do burglars come back after failed attempt?

Unfortunately, after one “successful” burglary, intruders are likely to come back and target the same home again. Some studies show that only 1.2% of burgled residences experienced 29% of all burglaries. Repeat burglaries also often occur quickly after the first one—25% within one week and 51% within one month.

How do thieves mark houses?

Not only is having a bunch of flyers or stickers stuck in your door a nuisance, it can also serve as a way for burglars to mark your home. Many burglars will stick flyers or stickers on homes that they think are unoccupied to serve as an indicator for their accomplices that the home is unguarded.

What to do if someone is trying to open the door?

To keep yourself and your home safe, here's what we suggest you do when a stranger comes knocking:
  1. Perform a lock check.
  2. See who it is (through peephole or camera)
  3. Speak with the person through the door.
  4. Call the police (if needed)

Do burglars go to houses with alarms?

Most Burglars Admit Alarm Systems Deter Them

In a University of North Carolina at Charlotte study that surveyed 422 convicted burglars, 83% of burglars admitted they check homes for alarms before breaking in. 60% of the burglars claimed an alarm would change their minds.

Do burglars come back the next day?

It all depends on the individual. A less experienced thief may be happy with his pickings and too paranoid to return. On the other hand, the seasoned professional is confident he won't be caught, so he strikes again.

What does a green porch light mean?

Green Porch Light Meaning. A green porch light usually shows appreciation for U.S. veterans and active military members. However, you will also see green lights for St. Patrick's Day, Memorial Day, and Lyme disease awareness month.

Can you defend your property?

The government states “you can use reasonable force to protect yourself or others if a crime is taking place inside your home.”

What is self-defence?

Self-defense (self-defence primarily in British English) is a countermeasure that involves defending the health and well-being of oneself from harm. The use of the right of self-defense as a legal justification for the use of force in times of danger is available in many jurisdictions.

What weapons can you keep in your home UK?

what weapons are legal in the uK
  • Axe.
  • Bow.
  • Crossbow.
  • Catapult.
  • Machete or Bill Hook.
  • Pocket knife (UK legal)
  • Fixed blade knife - any length blade - Survival knife Hunting knife skinning knife etc.
  • Multi function tool that includes a knife - Swiss Army Knife - Utility Tool Knife.

Do most burglars know their victims?

Shockingly, 85% of burglars will know their victims.

According to home break-ins statistics, it's far more likely that the person knows you.

What to do if you see someone casing your house?

What to Do When Your House is Being Cased
  1. Keep a record or note of suspicious activities such as times of the events, makes of possible vehicle, the appearance of the people in question.
  2. Notify neighbors about suspicious activities.
  3. Inform local police if necessary and requires extra patrolling on the areas.

Do burglars strike twice?

Contrary to popular belief, it is not uncommon for burglars to target the same place twice. They believe that if they were able to escape successfully the first time, they would be able to do it again.

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