When burglars target your home, they’re looking for more than a snack – though a burglar in 2015 did exactly that, leaving his DNA behind! No, most burglars are looking for valuable things they can easily make off with, and that won’t be too difficult to sell. They also want to be in and out again as quickly as possible, since they’re less likely to get caught.
Why are we telling you this? Well, it’s our job to stop the burglaries happening in the first place. We do that with strong deterrents and a good security system. Many burglars admit that when they change their mind about targeting a property, the main reason is a working alarm system. Of course, some burglars are reckless, desperate, or just not too bright (I mean, who spray paints their own name on a house they’re robbing?), so it pays to be aware as well as secure. Which is why we wanted to share with you what burglars are most likely to target in your home, and why.
Top 10 Items
You might think a burglar will look for anything and everything they can get their hands on. But below are the top 10 items stolen in home burglaries, alongside the percentage of burglaries they’re stolen in. The higher the percentage, the more often they’re stolen.
- Jewellery and watches (43%)
- Purses, wallets and cash (38%)
- Computers, mostly laptops and tablets (34%)
- Cameras, TVs and other electrical equipment (19%)
- Mobile phones (13%)
- Clothes (9%)
- Food, perfumes, cigarettes (8%)
- Bags and briefcases (8%)
- Furniture (6%)
- Important documents like passports, financial information (5%)
- House keys or car keys (5%)
All small items with high value and easy re-saleability. So when you’re looking at how to protect your home, these are the things you should be focusing on.
Protecting High Value Items
If you’ve been on holiday and stayed in a hotel, then you’ve probably seen the safes they keep in the room, usually in cupboard or wardrobe. These are for you to keep your most valuable items inside while you’re away. But did you know you can have a safe installed in your home too? It doesn’t have to be hidden away behind a picture, like in the films. It can be a simple unit that’s installed in a cupboard or wardrobe. It doesn’t have to be some massive thing that comes up to your wait either. A lot of home safes are quite small, enough to store documents and valuable jewellery – the things burglars are most likely to target. You can get them installed pretty much anywhere in your home, making them discreet and easy to access. Just make sure whichever model you choose, it’s fireproof!
Everyday Items
Of course, it’s not practical to keep everything on that list in a safe. There are things you might use every day, are a bit too bulky to fit in a safe, or have some other reason that being in a safe isn’t practical. But that doesn’t mean you can’t protect them. For example, you could tether a laptop to a desk. Keep pocket items like wallets and spare keys in a locked drawer. Make a point of keeping car and house keys away from the front door (as thieves have a few techniques to fish them out without even opening the door).
Finally, make sure you’re reviewing your security often. A good security system is the best way to deter burglars and make sure your belongings are kept safe. If you’re not sure how to do that, or you would like some expert advice, just call Securifix today. We offer free home security audits with one of our professionals, so you can find out what’s working, what isn’t, and where your weaknesses are. To book yours, just contact one of our team today, and we’d be happy to help.
