Make your Home more secure

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26th of September, 2024

Keep Them Out

Keep hedges and walls at the front of your house low (under 1 metre) so burglars have nowhere to hide.
Keep side gates locked at all times. Open gates mean burglars can easily access your home without being seen by passers-by or neighbours.
Keep hedges, walls, and fences around your back garden high (1.8 metres) or over. Add lightweight trellis to gates and fences and plant some prickly plants to make it harder for burglars to climb over.
Gravel driveways and paths make it harder for burglars to go undetected.
Install an outside dusk till dawn light so that intruders can’t approach without being seen.
Install a home security system with alarms, cameras, and monitoring. Display security system signs prominently. Ensure these are regularly tested and maintained.
Keep ladders, bins and tools stored away; don’t leave them outside where they could be used to break into your home.

Home Security

Many burglaries are opportunistic, however home security can be improved with a few simple measures:

Ensure all keys, including vehicle keys, are out of sight as a tool could be used to hook and steal the keys. A keyless vehicle’s key fob must be kept in a faraday wallet to isolate the signal commonly used by thieves to gain access to the vehicle.
Always keep valuables like handbags and laptops out of sight from windows. Store any high value items like jewellery and passports in a properly secured safe or bank vault.
If you have CCTV cameras at your home, register with Nice2Share, Lancashire Constabulary’s Community Portal. By doing so you will help us deter and solve crimes quicker.
To protect yourself from unwanted doorstep sellers, don’t share personal details or make immediate purchases. Display a “No Cold Caller” sticker to discourage unsolicited visits.
Always lock your doors and windows every time you leave the house, even when you’re just out in the garden.
Consider joining or forming a Neighbourhood Watch scheme and sign up to stayintheknow.co.uk to receive regular crime updates.
Make your valuables less attractive to thieves by using property or police recognised forensic marking solution’s. You should also keep a detailed inventory of your belongings, including photos and serial numbers, to assist in recovery if items are stolen.
When away, make your home appear occupied. Use smart lighting systems that can be controlled remotely to simulate occupancy. Be cautious about sharing travel plans or absences from home on social media platforms.
Ensure your home insurance is up-to-date and provides adequate coverage for theft and damage.

Shed Security

Select a location for your shed that is not visible to passers-by. Ideally, the shed should be visible from all rear windows if it is situated at the back of the property.
Anchor your shed securely to the ground. Smaller wooden sheds can be easily overturned if a thief is unable to gain entry through the locked door.
Consider a battery-operated shed alarm. They look low key, but they respond to movement or door contact with an extremely loud siren. Please keep it out of the reach of young children.
Enhance the security of your shed by upgrading its locks. Tower bolts and hasp-and-staple locks are recommended.
Use a strong lockable box or cage within the shed to store valuable tools and equipment. This adds an extra layer of security even if the shed is breached.
If you have battery operated garden tools, store the batteries and chargers in the house away from your tools to make them less attractive to steal and less valuable to sell on.

Garage Security

Upgrade to a secure garage door if necessary. Types such as sectional, roller shutter, or up-andover doors with reinforced locking mechanisms are recommended.
Fit a garage door defender or additional locks to older doors. Consider using a lock bar across the inside of the door.
Secure valuables inside the garage with lockable storage cabinets or anchor points. Use chains and ground anchors to secure items like bikes and lawnmower.
Consider extending your home alarm and CCTV system to include the garage to cover all access points.

We recommend the use of Secured by Design products, as these products are tested and recommended by Police Forces in the UK to offer a high level of security. For further information visit the Secured by Design website: securedbydesign.com