The Lowdown on Sneak-in Burglaries and What You Can do to Prevent Them

However, just as we’ve had to adapt to the changing situation, so burglars have found ways to adjust their approach. Research has shown that almost 60 per cent of burglaries occur when someone is actually home. Known as ‘sneak-in’ burglaries, these break-ins are becoming all too common. Here’s how to prevent them, and how to improve your home security in general.

Research has shown that 58 per cent of burglaries happen when someone is in the home. Not something that is widely expected, but something that could land you in trouble if you need to make an insurance claim.

With police reporting a steady rise in sneak-in burglaries, it’s important to be aware of how they happen, and what you can do to prevent them.

What is a sneak-in burglary?

A sneak-in burglary is when a thief breaks in via an unsecured window or door. This type of burglary is usually carried out by an experienced thief, so occupiers rarely notice the fact that they’ve managed to gain entry.

Police are warning of how opportunistic thieves can be, and are urging homeowners to be more vigilant and remember to secure entryways and keep valuables out of sight, even when they are indoors.

The trouble with sneak-in burglaries is that there is no sign of forced entry, which means it is unlikely that an insurer will pay out a claim. Insurers usually require evidence that steps were taken to secure the property. So if an intruder has gained entry through an unsecured door or window, any claim made is likely to fail, leaving you seriously out of pocket.

How to prevent sneak-in burglaries?

There are various ways to prevent a burglar sneaking in when you’re at home:

Secure doors and windows

Close and lock entrance doors, and any accessible windows. If the weather is warm and you need to let air in to keep the home cool, use limiters on the windows to lock them in place so that an intruder cannot gain access through them. Be especially mindful of unsecured doors and windows downstairs when you are upstairs, or open windows at the front of the house when you are outside in the back garden and may not hear an intruder entering.

Keep valuables out of sight

Never leave the likes of keys, cash, wallets, tech, jewellery or anything else that’s valuable on show in an unoccupied room, especially if it’s in view of a window. Keep everything to hand, or stash it away. Valuables should ideally be kept in a safe, especially devices that you’re using to work from home and that contain personal data.

Use zoned security

With smart sensors, you can zone your security to enable you to keep tabs on the areas of the home that you’re not currently using. Sensors on doors and windows will alert you to any attempted intrusion, whilst motion sensors will let you know when there is someone moving about in another room who shouldn’t be there. Pet friendly sensors detect only the unique heat signature of humans, so if you have a four-legged friend, be sure to opt for this type of system. Combine sensors with smart CCTV and you’ll get images straight to your smartphone as soon as there’s a trigger.

Be on your guard at home to prevent sneak-in burglaries

Burglars are opportunistic and take advantage of easy pickings. Open doors and windows, and valuables on display, make it all too straightforward for intruders to sneak in and help themselves to what they like.

Don’t provide easy pickings for sneak-in burglars. Be alert and take steps to protect your property.

Not sure of the best security setup for your home? Barry Bros Security can help. With decades of experience, and experts on hand to advise you on an individual level, you can rest assured you’ll be armed with all you need to keep your property safe. For the advice you need, you are welcome to get in touch.