Home security

Most burglaries are committed by opportunist thieves. In two out of ten burglaries no force is used, they simply enter through an open door or window. It is very difficult to make your house totally burglarproof, but you can defeat most burglars.

Try looking at your home through a burglar's eyes - look for places they could break in unseen: how strong are your locks on both the windows and doors: are there high hedges, trees or fences for the opportunistic thief to hide behind?

The enemy of the burglar is noise and time. Burglars can be put off if your security measures mean that the burglars have to take a lot of time, or make a lot of noise. For example, planting plants with sharp spikes in front of windows and down pipes, pea shingle on beds, gravel path and drive ways, window alarms, etc.

Leave a light on when you go out in the evening and be selective as if you really were in the house. Ask yourself what lights would be on.

Home-grown garden security need not cost a fortune, and in fact some measures can enhance your garden. A garden can never be completely secure, however there are many things that can be done to reduce the opportunity for the theft of tools, ornaments, and plants.

Gardens surrounded by a two-metre fence can be increased in height by fitting trellis. Trellis is fairly fragile and is difficult to climb.

Gravel paths act as a deterrent as they make a noise when walked upon.

Take a look at your garden shed, where you probably store expensive equipment like a lawn mower, strimmer, etc - secure it with strong hinges and a good padlock. Consider a battery operated alarm or even extending your house alarm.

Security mark all tools and fittings, including garden furniture.

Garden furniture should be put away when not in use and secured to each other with a high tensile cord.

Ladders should be padlocked.

Garden lighting can be effective if you use the correct type.

Check that your household insurance policy covers theft from your garden and outbuildings.

Passive Infra-red, Photosensitive or Static Lighting?

The type of lighting you choose depends on your lifestyle and therefore your requirements.

A passive infra-red (PIR) controlled light to cover the rear garden will give the impression that it is a darkened area. The light will only come on once someone has made the decision to enter and are on your property. You are then relying on the light to frighten them into changing their mind and leaving.

Photosensitive lighting will come on as darkness falls. This type of lighting can also be controlled with a switch.

Static lighting is controlled by you.

Surrounding your home with an eight-foot fence topped with barbed wire and glass might make you feel more secure. However, this could actually do more harm than good.

Barbed wire, broken glass, etc running along the top of a wall is unlikely to keep out a determined burglar but could seriously harm a child who is just trying to get a ball back. Such measures could also result in legal action being taken against you under the Occupiers Liability Act.

Non-dry paint should only be used on surfaces such as gutterings and fascia boards that are above 2 metres in height. Appropriate signage is also required, something like 'Caution: This guttering is coated with paint that does not dry which will come off on your hands and clothes'.

Legal action can be taken against you under the Occupiers Liability Act if advice is not followed.

Sussex Police has re-launched Operation Sunshine to provide simple crime prevention reminders to make homes more secure during the summer months.

Summer is a time of warm days when windows, doors and garages are often left open, and tools and valuables may be left lying around outside.

The most common cases of opportunist summer burglary involve offenders that:

• enter an insecure front door while residents are in the back garden
• enter doors that are closed but unlocked at night while residents are asleep
• reach through windows to take valuable items

Summer burglary prevention tips:

• If you are out in the back garden, ensure that your front door is secure.
• Put your garden tools and games away into a secure garage or tools shed after using them, they could be used to break into your home, or your neighbours'.
• When you leave a room unattended, close the windows and doors - especially on the ground floor.
• If you want to leave windows open while you sleep, fit window restrictors so they cannot be fully opened, or make sure they are not large enough to allow access to a burglar.
• Keep all wallets, purses, credit cards, car keys and other valuables out of sight.
• Consider fitting outside security lighting or a visible alarm to help deter burglars. Even using pea shingle or gravel on a driveway and spiky plants in garden beds can help.

Remember car security too...

If you park your car out in the countryside, take your bag or wallet with you and don't leave other belongings on view in your car. Even an old coat left in sight could tempt someone to break in.

For more information and tips about keeping your property safe over the summer months, watch our vlog.

Leaving your home during hours of darkness, without putting a light on or drawing the curtains, is an open invitation to the opportunist criminal that there is no-one at home.

• Use an automatic time switch on an indoor light, either in a room that cannot be peered into from the road, or upstairs. Regularly change the timing on the switch.

• Save energy, and money in the long term, by fitting low energy light bulbs.

• Put a time switch on a radio that has been tuned to a chat station, this will give the impression that the house is occupied. Regularly change the timing on the switch.

• Fit security lighting, either dusk to dawn energy efficient lighting that will come on automatically as dusk sets in, or brighter passive infrared activated lighting drawing attention to movement.

• Ensure that gates or access to the rear of the house are locked and secure. Don't forget to lock your shed, your tools can be used to break in. Trim overgrown plants - don't give burglars a hiding place.

• Secure windows, paying particular attention to those on the ground floor and above flat roof areas. Use locks and bolts and keep all your keys, including car keys, out of sight and out of reach.

• Property mark your valuables by using your postcode and your house number or name. Some articles are unsuitable for marking so photograph them - with a ruler in view to show scale.

• Intruder alarms are an effective deterrent against burglars. Before choosing a system ensure it is the one most suitable for your needs.

• Trust your instincts. If you see anything suspicious let us know. If you think a crime is about to happen or is in progress dial 999.

• Join a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme. For details of a local scheme or to start a scheme phone us on 101 and ask for your local PCSO. Alternatively, enter your postcode in the 'Contact your local officer' section on the front page of the Sussex Police website to find details of your local PCSO.

Due to other essential duties it is not always possible for the Police to visit unoccupied houses.
Sussex Police ask that if you are going away, consider arranging for a trusted neighbour to regularly check the vacant premises.

Tell as few people as possible that your premises will be empty.

Do not discuss the holiday in shops, pubs etc - You do not know who is listening.

If you have an alarm, for which there is a keyholder record, ensure the record is kept updated.

Do not forget to cancel newspapers and milk if you have them delivered.

Either redirect your mail through the Post Office or have your neighbour take mail into the house - unopened Christmas cards and mail are a sure sign that a house is empty.

The enemy of the average house burglar is time and noise. Most burglars can be defeated by reasonable physical security.

It is suggested that you fit a 5-lever mortice deadlock to both your front and back doors with slide bolts both top and bottom - check to BS 3621.

French windows and patio doors should be fitted with a security mortice bolt, get specialist advice on fitting these locks.

An integral door to the garage should be fitted with a 5-lever mortice lock and two mortice bolts.

Windows should be fitted with key operated window locks; this key should be kept in a secure but easily accessible place.

Intruder alarms are widely accepted as an effective deterrent against burglars, providing a useful warning and limiting theft and damage to premises. Before choosing the right alarm system, check that the physical security of your premises is adequate to maintain protection. Alarms and physical security must work together. Insurance companies sometimes make the installation of an alarm a requirement. If this is so, ensure that the company and their specifications are acceptable to the insurers.

It is advisable not to buy anything at the door, and that includes alarm systems. Always get three quotes and do not sign anything until you have made up your mind, do not let them pressure you. You are entitled to think about it. Some offer large discounts if you sign up now… do not be fooled.

Alarms range from the very simple to the extremely sophisticated. The most expensive and complex equipment may not necessarily be the most suitable for you. Good installation of alarms should cause no mess or damage to decor, and the majority of wiring should be concealed.

The systems available (which can be purchased or rented) are:

• Wire free.
• Audible bell only - a bell only alarm is one where the bell or siren activates when triggered to attract attention and deter potential burglars.
• Monitored systems - a monitored alarm system is one monitored by a central station, in addition to the audible alarm. Additional cost will be charged for this service.

All alarms that are fitted should comply with British Standards.

Police accept installation of remote signaling alarms from companies subject to inspection by an independent inspectorate.

Hundreds and thousands of pounds worth of recovered stolen property cannot be returned to the rightful owner as there is no means of identification. You can identify property by using your postcode, together with your house number or the first two letters of your house name.

Engrave or etch using an electric engraving tool or hand engraver. This method leaves a visible, permanent mark.

An acid etching kit is useful for many hard surfaces. Use it to etch or engrave your vehicle registration onto your in-car entertainment, details of make and model and the serial numbers, should be kept in your vehicle logbook, which should not be kept within your car, in case of theft.

Ultraviolet marking (invisible marking) glows clearly under an ultraviolet lamp. The marking is not totally invisible, and therefore should be used on surfaces not readily on view, for example the back, side, or base of a television or video player. Also it should be noted that the mark can fade in daylight and may need renewing.

Ceramic pens have been developed for marking china, glass, and other glazed surfaces.

For heavier items, such as pushchairs, cycles, and lawnmowers use a set of punches and a hammer.

Not all items are suitable for marking, jewellery and antiques, for example where attempting to mark them would damage or de-value the item.

Photographs of each item against a plain background with a ruler next to the item to give an idea of size are very useful. A video film of property in its usual place also proves useful, as your memory at a time of crisis may be unreliable.

Sussex Police have joined up with the key holder scheme 'Peace for a Pound' (the trading name of GRG PR Ltd). The scheme enables Sussex Police to contact you, or one of your designated keyholders, if there is an emergency affecting your property.

The scheme also helps to maximise the possibility that any stolen property can be returned to you, by issuing a unique number that can be inscribed on property with an ultra violet pen. The scheme can be used for home or business premises.

Annual registration to the scheme costs £12 (£1.00 per month) per address registered.

Only the police have access to the information you supply.

For details of the terms and conditions please visit the Peace for a Pound website.