Leave the lights on?

[Garden Carpet]

My neighbours were burgled at 8.30 am.... I wasnt... I have two dogs the llittle one is a good barker. At that time my neighbours didnt have a dog.. they now own a doberman! I suspect the thieves must have known the neighbours were at work. We are accessed by a dirt track at least a hundred yards long and there are only two houses.. so it seems the robbers had prior knowledge of the comings and goings next door.

Thanks to the previous tennant of my house I have re-inforced glass in my back (only) door (the hobnail boot marks from the display are still on it) and a steel panel in the lower part.... I dont have much concern about anyone breaking in my door.

I have never experienced a burglary and hope never to... it must be a horrible experience.

jaki

PS cant ask my neighbour to house sit as he practicaly accused me of having a hand in the burglary!!!!!

[Bwrack]

Years ago the local police were doing an anti burglar initiative in my area...they came in and gave the place the once over, and then advised how to make our house a bit more secure..afterwards during question time their consensus was, a dog presence made little
or no difference..if someone has the nerve or b...s to break into a house to steal desecrate or whatever,Fido wouldn't worry them too much.

[Phoebe]

A single dog would not be enough deterrent for a professional burglar. I have never been burgled but have always had at least two dogs who were left the run of the whole house. It's no use if they are locked in one room. I had four dogs a few years ago and am now down to two and they are the Jack Russells, there is no way a burglar would attempt to break in with these dogs. lol at least I hope not, as they would be leaving in a body bag!

[jacbaye]

We give a set of keys to our friends and have them come over every other day to pick up the mail and close/open curtains to make it look less like we are away. Hadn't though about timing lights, but saying that we've never been burgled (touching wood)...

[Jim Ford]

Originally Posted by agrumpycow

Fourwing's is a PCSO

Is that good, then?

Jim

[SheffieldLass]

Originally Posted by jacbaye

We give a set of keys to our friends and have them come over every other day to pick up the mail and close/open curtains to make it look less like we are away. Hadn't though about timing lights, but saying that we've never been burgled (touching wood)...

I've only been burgled once, and that was when i was away and my neighbour had the keys and was going in to close the curtains and put the lights on in the evening ... he was in a rush in the morning and only locked one of the locks on my back door, instead of the normal two as the door had swelled slightly after days of heavy rain and it was a bit tricky to lock ... And the burglars smashed down the door.

So now I carefully lock up when I go out/away, and no one is ever given a key to look after things.

[Jim Ford]

Originally Posted by SheffieldLass

he was in a rush in the morning and only locked one of the locks on my back door, instead of the normal two as the door had swelled slightly after days of heavy rain and it was a bit tricky to lock ... And the burglars smashed down the door.

I would think that if they smashed the door down with one lock, they'd smash it down with two. It'd just take about 10 seconds longer!

Jim

[ron1863]

I agree with Roger, a yappie dog is the best deterrent. Our Yorkie barks when anyone comes down the path, mind you our last dog, an Irish Setter would have greeted the burglars and left with them.

[James M]

My mum and dad do this when they go out, but we try and offset the amount used by lets say for example not using the computer that day when we normally would.

[Paul mabbott]

Yes, I think you need the deterrent to be real for it to work. We has a sign once, jokingly saying, 'Beware of the rabbit'. Not that we allowed it to roam the house but anyone trying to steal it would get a shock!

The best, real notice I saw was, 'Beware of the snakes.' The chap had an enormous collection of snales (half his house and most of his garden) with caged snakes but also a large constrictor which wandered freely (except for when he was sleeping, I think) ....