UK burglary statistics are quite concerning. The COVID-19 pandemic caused a decrease in the number of break-ins, but as soon as the lockdown ended, the numbers began rising again. In this article, we review the value a robust Residential Security System can offer, as well as how to best protect your home and what to do if, despite your best efforts, you have fallen victim to a home invasion.
According to Statisa:
- More than 267,000 burglaries were reported in 2021.
- A burglary takes place every 106 seconds in the UK.
- 38.1% of burglaries happen during the day.
- In 64.1% of burglaries, someone is on the property.
- 47% of burglaries are committed on the spur of the moment.
- 43% of burglars are acquainted with the people they rob.
The ideal starting point for making sure your home and assets are fully protected is reviewing or upgrading your existing security system. While it is difficult to determine exactly how many potential intruders are deterred by visible alarm or CCTV systems – some simply won’t mess with security systems whilst comfortable disabling certain brands – regardless of how confident they are, it’s safe to say that most would-be burglars don’t want to be caught.
- Consider a layered approach
Solid security systems comprise multiple, strategic layers For example, the presence of CCTV can detect anyone approaching your property whilst alarm systems can alert you when a seal of a door or window is broken, or movement is detected inside your home. Concurrently, a dedicated Residential Security Team (RST) can monitor and protect all these layers.
- Upgrade alarms, locks, and fortifications
In terms of alarms, there are hundreds of options available on the market. The best way to select the right one for you is by looking at your personal preferences, budget, where you live, your home as well as the level of protection and response you’re after.
Meanwhile, when it comes to fortifications, sometimes a regular old lock and key doesn’t quite cut it. For example, most front door locks made before 2008 are not anti-snap proof, making them easier to penetrate. But, today, constantly evolving AI technology in smart locks and fortified doors can be a wise investment if your budget allows.
- Supercharge your security system with CCTV
CCTV has made great strides to address the analysis of behaviour and activity over the years. But installing cameras doesn’t necessarily have to break the bank. As is the case with alarm systems, the market is saturated with different options to choose from so understanding their features, benefits, and the type of footage they capture is critical.
Modern-day CCTV providers such as Avigilon offer products powered by advanced AI and video analytics that work using thermal technology, can detect even the most unusual of movements and comprise sophisticated search functions that capture data fast to allow for speedy response times.
Ultimately, criminals are far less likely to attempt to enter a property that is protected by CCTV and a strategically placed, overt camera system will deter most opportunistic thieves. The reason for careful positioning is to maximise your field of view – for example, parameters should span and include the distance between the entry points of your home, all the way to the outer boundaries whether they are fences, walls or otherwise. Continuous advancements in the intelligence and technology used in modern-day cameras, paired with the right placement should result in it being nigh on impossible for anyone to make it from the outer boundaries to your front door undetected.
- Protect your perimeters
The most effective home security plan doesn’t just consider protecting what is inside your property, it incorporates the securing of its perimeters. Things like security lights, “beware” signage and fencing or walls can act as a simple deterrent before an intruder has even stepped foot on your property.
That said, these elements will be most successful if they are well maintained and implemented in conjunction with other procedures.
- Streamline your security
All the above measures can be implemented by yourself or can be installed by the various providers you select. But there is an uncomplicated way of streamlining your security system and easing the burden of making often tricky decisions by enlisting a dedicated Residential Security Team (RST) to source the best equipment, install it and monitor it. These include:
- The efficiency and ease of a single point of contact to provide peace of mind
- Consolidating providers tends often consolidates price
- Limiting and controlling your level of personal exposure
- Limiting and controlling the number of individuals monitoring you and your property
- Enabling an instant response to threats, instead of waiting for external monitoring providers (which are often automated rather than tracked by human beings) to react and for police to be contacted
It’s been proven that burglary rates in the UK are lower among households with at least one security measure. People are less likely to steal from a property with visible security measures in place. So investing in such initiatives is a good idea if you wish to protect your property.
The primary mistake is thinking that something like this will never happen to you!
Ultimately, you get what you pay for when it comes to residential security measures and so considering a solid plan, offered by an experienced provider, is always the right route to take.
If you wish to discuss a design plan for your own residential security system, feel free to contact our specialist team.