Download the Home Security Assessment checklist

Don’t give burglars easy accessto your homeHome SecuritySurvey

Most burglars are ‘opportunists’ and break into homes that are easy targets. Goodsecurity and basic precautions reduce the chance of your home being burgled.Below is a checklist of the most common entry points used by criminals. Byreviewing the security in and around your home it will help you identify areaswhere additional burglary prevention may be required.Perimeter SecurityAre boundary fences/ walls /hedges in good condition?Are the front boundaries nomore than 1m and the rear1.8m high?Do you have locked side gatesat all access points?Are trees and shrubs welltrimmed?Y/NCheck for weak points or easy entrypoints.Low front boundaries give good visibilityfrom surrounding houses, whilst highfences at the back provide good security.Secure side entrances with stronglockable gates to minimise ease of entry.This helps to prevent burglars being ableto hide and be unobserved.External LightingIs there outside security lighting,including covering the front ofthe property?Is the side and rear externallighting motion activated?Y/NGood lighting is essential for deterringburglars. Use low level dusk to dawnlighting which comes on during darkness.Motion activated lighting should bepositioned out of arms reach so it can ‘teasily be tampered with.External doorsDo all external doors, includingfront and back, have robustdeadlocks?Are the door frames in goodcondition and strong enough toresist forced entry?Is a security chain or door spyhole fitted?Are patio doors fitted withrobust locks?Y/NBritish Standard 3621 or PVC-u 3 multipointlocks or similar should be fitted.Frames should be securely fixed anddoors should be certified to BritishStandard PAS 24/ LPS1175SR2/WCL1.Always use a chain and check theidentity of unknown visitors.Ensure an ‘anti-lift’ device with 5 lockingpoints is fitted.

Garages, Sheds and OutbuildingsAre strong locks fitted to allentrances?Are the door hinges exposed orheavy duty?Are all windows secure andhave an obscured view of inside?Do connecting doors betweenyour garage and home haverobust locks?Are your tools and equipmentlocked away?Y/NUse substantial padlocks to securestored expensive tools and equipment.Use heavy duty hinges or hinge bolts tomake it more difficult to enter.Obscuring the view stops burglars fromseeing any expensive equipment inside.Any door connected to your home mustbe treated as any other external door is.Tools can be used to break into yourhome so secure them with a steel chainthrough a ground anchor and lockladders to a wall mounted bracket.WindowsAre windows and frames ingood repair?Are locks fitted to all accessiblewindows?If windows open more than 9”are window restrictors fitted?Y/NFrames should be securely fixed andnew windows should conform to BritishStandard 7950.Locks can be fitted to all window types,ensure they are fitted correctly.This is particularly important for groundfloor windows.Internal SecurityDo you have a burglar alarminstalled?Do you have contentsinsurance?Is your valuable propertymarked and registered?Y/NAny installed alarm should meet BS4737(professional) or BS6707 (DIY).It should be sufficient for the totalcontents value, any specific high valueitems and areas, such as tools in shed.Keep an inventory of all valuable itemsand permanently mark them, such aswith a UV pen. Also register items onwww.immobilise.com

Useful contactsCambridgeshire ConstabularyTo report suspicious activity call the police non-emergencynumber 101If a crime is happening or someone unwanted is in your homealways call 999CambridgeshireTo give information anonymously about acrime please contact Crimestoppers, anindependent charity.TMYou can register any valuable items thathave a unique serial number for free. If theitems are lost or stolen Immobilise caninform the police and insurers.For more advice on how to protect your home visitwww.cambs.police.uk/crimeprevention/advice/Call: 101Visit: www.cambs.police.ukFollow:@CambsCopsSubscribe: