10 ways to burglar-proof your home – by a former thief

Returning to find your home has been ransacked by burglars can be devastating, and yet a quarter of a million people in England and Wales experience this each year. Police appear to take break-ins less seriously than other crimes, abandoning 70% of investigations within a month, so most intruders are never caught.

Given that prevention is better than cure, former burglar Michael Fraser, 63, gives a thief’s-eye view of security.

He became a burglar in his teens after growing up in care. Reflecting on that time, he says, "I’m not making excuses, but to survive in care you have to be physically strong or join a gang that will protect you, otherwise you end up isolated and vulnerable. At first, the other kids showed me how to kick a door in or break a window without cutting yourself.

"We would steal anything valuable we found and sell it for about a quarter of what it was worth."

"I never thought about the harm or pain I was causing, but I’m fully aware of it now and have lived with guilt and regret for many years."

Now a reformed character, he says there’s lots you can do to deter intruders. Fraser, who co-hosted BBC show Beat the Burglar and now works as a security consultant, says it is especially important to take precautions at this time of year, when many of us go on holiday.

Here he provides his top ten tips for keeping your property safe from intruders.

1. Get the tech

Video doorbells, such as Ring or Nest, are an excellent burglar deterrent. No criminal wants to risk being filmed in the act, so will move on to a property with no recording equipment. I have cameras at the front, side and back of my house, with sensors that detect motion, so I’m immediately alerted, via my phone, if anyone approaches my home.

A good alarm is worth investing in, but have it serviced annually. As part of this, the box on the front will be cleaned – a dirty box is a sure sign to a burglar that the alarm is not well-maintained, so unlikely to be set.

2. Let there be light

Burglars need to operate under the radar, so the last thing they want is a spotlight on them. A movement-activated light is essential for protecting the rear of your property. Position it to respond only to things above 4ft to avoid it being triggered by animals.

I’d recommend the same for the front of the house, but if you prefer not to have white light there, infrared lights, which are available in hardware stores and come on at night, will ensure that any after-dark video recordings produce a well-lit picture.

They can also be linked to smart security devices to alert you when the sensors have identified a potential intruder.

3. Lock in safety

No front door is burglar-proof without a deadlock that can only be engaged with a key. A cylinder or Yale lock just holds the door in its frame and a burglar can tell by pushing his foot against it whether the deadlock is on. A pole through the letterbox with string attached can then easily hook around the lock and be yanked down, opening the door. You could also look into smart locks.

Window locks are also essential, preventing burglars slotting a knife or other tool into the gap and prising them open.

Burglars generally avoid breaking windows as it risks making a noise; it could also lead to cuts that leave DNA behind.

4. Stage a rear offensive

Criminals prefer to gain entry via the back of your house, as there’s much less chance of being seen. Don’t make it easy for them by leaving ladders and tools lying around, or even providing a leg up by positioning garden furniture close to windows.

A drainpipe leading to a bathroom – where windows are often left open – is a commonly used route in, so smear it with anti-climb paint. Available from hardware shops, it’s a grease that makes it impossible to get a grip on pipes.

Also, never leave a key in the back door, providing the perfect escape route for the burglar. If you have a cat flap, he could also use the pole and thread technique to get his hands on your key.

5. Avoid easy pickings

Thieves don’t want to work hard for their money, so never make it easy for them. Don’t leave keys, handbags and other small valuables near the inside of your front door as these can be easily fished for using a pole and string through your letterbox.

Better still, install a wire cage on the inside, which will catch the mail and make letterbox fishing impossible.

Likewise, shred every letter and document containing personal details before binning it, to protect from identity fraud.

6. Be a good neighbour

The eyes and ears of those around you are a big threat to burglars, so keep a look out on one another’s homes or form a Neighbourhood Watch group. A Neighbourhood Watch sticker in your window encourages potential thieves to move on.

Also, take in each others' parcels and put bins back after collection – all dead giveaways that no one is home. However, if you keep an emergency key for a neighbour, never label it ‘Barbara next door’, as this gives a successful burglar a two-for-one opportunity.

7. Don't invite them in

A burglar is more likely to try his luck at a property where the gate is left open. Psychologically, he sees it as an invitation – one less obstacle. Once he’s in your front garden, if there’s lots of foliage around the window, this creates the perfect hiding place from neighbours’ prying eyes.

So cut back bushes that give cover to anyone assessing the security on your house or looking through windows.

8. Keep them guessing when you aren't home

When going on holiday leave curtains, blinds and shutters closed. While curtains that stay shut for a fortnight may arouse suspicion, not being able to see in is more of a deterrent. Burglars can’t predict who is behind closed curtains and need an idea of what they’d be walking into before taking a risk.

Timers on lights, set to come on when it gets dark to make it look like someone’s home, are also useful.

9. Stop sharing on social

I’m astonished by the number of people who post about their holiday on social media. Most of us have ‘friends’ we barely know on Facebook who might be connected to thieves looking for empty houses to target, so share holiday snaps when you’re back, not during your trip.

If you have a fridge calendar detailing upcoming plans, make sure it’s not visible through your kitchen window, where prying eyes can zoom in and take a snapshot on their phone.

10. Keep cars safe

Car alarms and steering locks deter car thieves, as do Faraday pouches, which block signals from car keys, preventing access to your vehicle.

Never leave car keys in view of the door, where they can be fished out via your letterbox, and keep valuables out of sight inside your vehicle. If parked on the road, turn your tyres in towards the kerb to hinder a quick getaway.