Knowledge is power, and being aware of whether your home or business is being targeted by burglars and thieves is key to avoiding property damage, theft and deter would-be thieves from even attempting it.
Whilst burglaries went down in 2020 as a result of the first national lockdown, there were still notable crime waves, particularly targeting animals and pets.
Here are a couple of top tips to spot a would-be burglary attempt and how you can stop them.
Reduce Opportunities
Burglars are opportunists at heart; they will often not even attempt to rob a house if it looks like they might get caught, so when casing a property they will look for signs that someone is home or not.
One recent technique used is to place a piece of masking tape over the keyhole to see if it is moved or removed, and know it is safe to make an attempt if not.
Similarly, burglars can sometimes drop large numbers of leaflets into a letterbox, to see if they get moved.
Whilst both of these are less of an issue for people working from home, a video doorbell camera as part of a home security system acts as both evidence and a deterrent for prospective thieves.
Avoid Distractions
As many burglars are aware that people are spending more time at home, it is important to be wary of anyone attempting to enter your home.
Be sure to know what business they have being there, ask for ID for anyone who arrives at the door and do not be afraid to call the company the person claims to be working for if you are suspicious before letting them in.