There have been break-ins across parts of Scotland recently
Police Scotland has advice on its website(Image: Getty)
In recent weeks, doorbell footage has shown homes across Glasgow and surrounding areas being targeted, with hooded men seen trying cars and homes in the early hours in apparent break-in attempts.
Glasgow Live recently reported on a scary moment when a hooded man attempted to break into an East Kilbride home. The Strathnairn Drive resident said she was alerted to the thief after hearing the doorbell around 12.30am on September 15, but thought it was the milkman.
It wasn’t until she heard the milkman arrive later that she realised it wasn’t him. She said the man broke into her car and was making the rounds across the Hairmyres area. In fact, Police Scotland officers are currently appealing for information following seperate break-ins and vandalism at a premises in Barrhead.
With this in mind, now is the time to make sure your house is as safe as possible, and that residents across Scotland take heed of advice by Police Scotland.
Police Scotland says try this
In general advice on break-ins, Police Scotland stresses that stealing doesn’t always occur during a break-in or housebreaking. But it’s still a crime – even if nothing is stolen.
To help prevent a break-in, they have urged people to consider the following. While it’s not a guarantee that this will prevent break-ins, it may help deter people.
- Keep wooden fence planks vertical and 1.8 metres tall – it’s harder to climb a garden fence this way.
- Remove tree branches within 2.1 meters above the ground so people cannot use them to climb into your garden.
- Make sure bins are not left where they can be used to climb over fences or into windows.
- Consider putting gravel or stones under your windows and driveway so you can hear someone coming.
- Make sure gates are not broken and can be locked in 2 different places.
- Shut and lock your doors and windows at night, when you’re not at home, and when you’re not using them – including patio and garage doors.
- Never leave keys in locks.
- Regularly check that the frames, locks, and hinges are not broken
- Keep any keys away from the doors leading outside, windows, and letterboxes.
- Avoid letting people inside a shared door if you do not know them.
- Make sure people do not follow you inside before the door shuts. This is called tailgating.
- Do not let in contractors unless you confirm their identity and reason for entry.
- Get a door handle alarm on the inside of your door that will trigger if someone tries to open the door.
- Use door chains, restrictors, peepholes, or a camera doorbell to see who’s at your door without opening it fully.
- Think about keeping a personal alarm near your door that you can trigger if you feel worried about someone at your door.
- Never share codes for locks or alarms with delivery people.
- Never leave keys in easy-to-find places for contractors.
- Make sure camera doorbells and CCTV are charged and have enough storage to record while you’re away.
- Use timers on your lights to turn them on and off.
- Cancel any deliveries due while you’re away, like milk deliveries.
- Use Royal Mail’s Keepsafe service to stop your post from going to your house.
- Avoid posting about the holiday or being away on social media.
- Use alarms and CCTV for outbuildings, garages, and driveways.
- Get dusk-to-dawn or timer-activated lights. They turn on automatically when it’s dark and stay on until it’s light.
CCTV and alarm advice
Police Scotland suggests people install CCTV, security lights and alarms, and when doing so, to make sure any lights and CCTV meets British Standards (PD6662).
People should also ensure that the person or company setting it up has National Security Inspectorate (NSI) or Security System and Alarms Inspection Board (SSAIB) certifications.
When using CCTV, you should:
- Put the camera 3 metres above the ground (it’s more likely to record faces and stops thieves from breaking the camera)
- Put the camera somewhere where nothing blocks its view
- Cut or move any plants that block the CCTV view
- Put the camera where it can film all the ways into your house (such as doors, garages, driveways, windows)
- Make sure your camera does not film areas that are not your property, or you blur areas that are not your property
- Put up signs that say you use CCTV
Should I install lights?
Yes. When choosing security lights, aim for LED bulbs, as they’re brighter and last longer than sodium bulbs. It should also be installed near entrances and exits into your property and home (including any gardens, driveways, garages, and doors).
In addition, you should aim to place lights 3 metres above the ground. This should stop thieves from breaking them.
Support after a break-in
If you need support after a break-in, whether anything was stolen or not, Police Scotland recommends visiting victimsupport.org.uk. It states: “The impact of burglary isn’t just financial. It can also have a significant impact on your emotional well-being and sense of security.”
It says that they can:
- Give you and your family the support you need to cope with the effects of the burglary and to think about the next steps.
- Support you with filling out forms, dealing with insurance, and provide advice on how to cancel debit/credit cards, record stolen items and replace stolen documents.
- Help you get advice about security systems, locks and repairs.
- Put you in touch with other organisations that can help if there are problems they can’t deal with. They can also liaise on your behalf if you want them to.
- Help you to deal with other agencies, such as the police or housing department, and give you information about the police and court procedures.
