Security in and Around the Home

Break and enter offences where an offender has entered a home, shed, or garage and stolen property are one of the most commonly reported crimes. A majority of house break-ins appear to be crimes of opportunity with entry gained through an open or unlocked window or door.  Most intruders are looking for, and often find a house left open or unlocked where they can get what they want with ease and make a clean getaway with minimal difficulty.

With the above information in mind, there are three key principles to improving home security:

1. Make it as difficult as possible for an offender to gain entry;
2. Make it as difficult as possible for an offender to exit with your property; and
3. Make it as difficult as possible for an offender to dispose of your property.

The first two principles can be applied by incorporating good quality door and window locks and security screens. When deciding on what locks work to your advantage, remember to consider the following points:

1. Who will use the locks (children, elderly or people with disabilities);
2. Ability to get out of the house quickly in case of an emergency; and
3. Is the equipment manufactured to Australian standards and installed by a reputable company.

There are two main methods of securing your premises, locks on windows and doors and internal security alarms and other electronic systems.

It is important to remember that the aim is not to turn the home into a fortress or a prison. Additionally, avoid leaving keys in screen doors as they are easily removed by tearing a small hole in the fly wire. Avoid leaving keys on hooks near doors or windows as this provides the offender with a way to get, out and if possible aim to have all or the majority of locks keyed alike.  A reputable locksmith can assist you with this.

The third principle involves the marking of all items of value to deter theft and aid in their identification by police. This is best done in accordance with the Queensland Police Service property marking system. The ‘Property Identification’ brochure available from your local police station can assist you with this process.

The aim is to make your home less attractive to opportunistic offenders. Remember, try to delay entry, and thereby increase the perceived effort and the risk of detection for the offender.

For more information on home security pick up a copy of the ‘Home Security’ brochure from your local police station or contact your local District Crime Prevention Coordinator who can arrange a free in-home security assessment.