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| Recent British Crime Survey states a 14% increase in burglary at homes in England and Wales in 2010-11 |
With the most recent British Crime Survey suggesting a 14% increase in burglary at homes across England and Wales in 2010-11, the British Security Industry Association (BSIA) has issued its top tips for home security.
With the summer holidays fast approaching, many people across the country will be looking forward to getting away from it all, leaving their everyday lives behind and escaping to sunnier climes for a couple of weeks. However, leaving a property empty for any length of time exposes property and possessions to risk from opportunistic burglary, a risk that can be effectively minimised by the deployment of a few basic security measures.
Previous research has shown that households with no home security measures are almost ten times more likely to fall victim to burglary than homes where simple security measures have been adopted, from physical security such as locks and fencing, to electronic equipment such as intruder alarms or CCTV, which is becoming increasingly popular in the domestic market.
As such, the BSIA has issued its top five tips for securing your home this summer:
1. Lock it up
Physical security measures are the very backbone of home security. Ensure that doors are fitted with good quality five-lever mortise locks. Fit locks to your windows, especially those that are on the ground floor or are accessible, for example, from a flat roof. Remember that your garage or shed will also need a quality lock in order to protect its contents.
2. Ring the alarm
A basic, monitored intruder alarm (linked to an external alarm receiving centre) will make a real impact on deterring a criminal from entering a property and alert a monitoring centre if an alarm is triggered. Alarms should meet the European Standard for intruder alarms, EN50131-1, and should be maintained on a regular basis.
3. Make your mark
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| Intruder alarms or CCTVs are becoming increasingly popular in the domestic market |
Ensure that all possessions are marked with an asset marking system and registered on a secure database. Property marking can deter opportunist theft and also means that if a burglary does take place and your possessions are recovered, they can be returned to you.
4. Avoid identity theft
Remember that the contents of your rubbish can put you at risk of becoming a victim of identity theft. Shred any documents that have personal details on them, including those that simply contain your name and address.
5. Choose wisely
With so many products and services on the market, it's often difficult to tell which represents the best quality and value for money. BSIA members meet strict quality criteria and as such, the Association's website is a great place to start when considering your next security investment.
