How to stop burglars & secure your home
Whilst the number of number of recorded burglaries in the UK has steadily declined over the past 20 years, it’s still common. According to Statista, 266,489 burglaries occurred in England and Wales across 2023 and 2024.
It’s therefore crucial to keep your property safe all year round. Here are our top tips for securing your home and stopping burglars, as well as a range of products that can help.
1. Upgrade your door locks
It may be hard to believe, but many burglars are brazen enough to try their luck by just walking through the front door, and even more shocking according to Daily Home Safety – 34% succeed.
One of the best ways to protect your front door from burglary is to upgrade the door lock, and there are a number of options for you to choose from.
Multipoint locks
A multipoint door lock is an excellent way to ramp up the security of your front door. The various components that must be manipulated make it much more difficult for an intruder to gain access to a property.
This type of lock is comprised of 3 deadbolts, which is a highly secure lock in its own right; triple the deadbolts, triple the protection.
If you want to know how to swap out a multipoint door lock, check out our handy step-by-step guide.
Double cylinder locks
Another highly secure option, double cylinder locks differ from standard locks as they are keyed from both the inside and outside.
This type of lock offers protection from a number of scenarios, for example, if a burglar were to break a section of the door to attempt entry, they still would not be able to unlock the door without a key.
Additional tips for enhancing front door security:
- Upgrade your CCTV system around your front door
- Lock your door even when you’re in the house
- Install some extra front door reinforcement
2. Install window bars or restrictors
Many of us keep our windows open to let a natural breeze flow through our homes, but we may not always think that we are leaving our homes vulnerable to burglary. There are multiple ways to gain entry to a property using a window, whether that be via breaking glass or tampering with locks, therefore increasing security in these areas is vital.
Whether your windows are open or closed, there are security methods that can offer peace of mind in both cases.
Window restrictors
To feel secure even when your windows are open, an answer is a high-quality window restrictor.
These restrictors come in various forms and can be installed to all types of windows, with many of them boasting impressive strength, protection against cutting, and excellent force resistance.
Window bars
For a more robust option, window bars (often known as burglar bars) are installed to the outside of a window to create a barrier between the window and the intruder. Typically, planning permission is not needed to install these bars, but it’s always best to check before the installation.
If you’re concerned about the aesthetics of your home being affected, you can find them in a variety of designs and colours to suit your specific taste.
Additional tips for enhancing window security:
- Keep greenery around windows short, so hiding places are limited
- Lock windows when they are closed, even when you’re at home
- Ensure that any objects that could be used to access windows are not positioned nearby (bins, stepladders etc.)
3. Secure your gates
It is just as important to secure the perimeter of your property as it is to secure the building itself, and this includes gates.
The first step when it comes to gate security is finding an appropriate lock. Gate catches and latches are a great first step, but you can find even more robust options to take security a step further.
Gate bolts
Gate bolts are one of the most effective products on the market for securing a gate, as other products typically just keep gates in a closed position. These types of locks are the equivalent of a deadbolt on a door, and are therefore one of the most secure options you can buy.
You can find gate bolts that simply have the barrel slot in the keep, and even some that have extra components to allow a padlock to be fitted.
Padlocks
Speaking of padlocks, they are one of the most tried-and-tested security options for protecting many areas of a property from burglars.
There are a wide range of padlock options available, so you can pick one up based on your needs. Want to lock a waste bin or shed? A traditional padlock is ideal and simple to fit. Combination padlocks are also a great option when securing a gate, as they require knowledge of a code rather than just a key to unlock them.
Additional tips for enhancing gate security:
- Just like with windows, ensure that objects that can be used to climb over the gate are not easily accessible
- In the case of metal gates that are installed with two-part hinges, reverse one part of the hinge so it cannot be lifted off
Other security options for stopping burglars
1. Use CCTV cameras
CCTV cameras are one of the most effective ways to stop burglars and intruders. Reliable and convenient, smart CCTV cameras are a popular option, enabling you to check in on your home from a smartphone even when you’re out.
2. Use outdoor lights
Burglars often rely on darkness to conceal their identity and avoid getting caught. Outdoor lighting is an excellent way to secure your home; from decking and garden lights to festoon lights, there are various styles to secure your home while keeping to your favoured aesthetic.
What’s more, you can equip your home with motion-activated lights. These turn on whenever motion is detected outside, ensuring your property is protected. When triggered, they can startle anyone who isn’t expecting it, and many lights come with cameras to record activity around the property.
3. Get blinds or curtains
Cost-effective, simple and practical, installing new blinds or curtains should not be underestimated. Covering your windows means burglars won’t be able to see any potential valuables, such as a TV, that they might target.
If you already have blinds, don’t forget to close them. Although it may seem obvious, many people leave their valuables on full display when they leave the house simply because they forget to close them.
4. Install a burglar alarm or sensor
Equipping your home with a burglar alarm or sensor can be a great long-term investment. These systems work by sounding an alarm when movement is detected around a property, and many modern alarm systems can also link up to your smartphone for easy monitoring and automatically notify the police if an alarm is triggered.
Plus, the mere sight of a burglar alarm at the side of your home can stop a burglar from targeting your property.
Being a victim of burglary is incredibly unfortunate, but these solutions can be put in place to ensure your home is as protected as possible. If you run or are part of a business, we also have a guide on the tips you should know about.
References:
Burglary offences in England and Wales 2023 | Statista
Home Burglary Statistics You Must Know in 2023 (With Illustration) - DailyHomeSafety
