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Home Security SurveySelf–Assessment ChecklistWe are keen to help you to reduce the likelihood of your home being targeted bycriminals. Below is a list of some of the points you should consider. The aim is toanswer ‘yes’ to most of the statements. Where the answer is ‘no’, do takeappropriate action to address issues where possible, and practical.Remember, most burglaries are committed by 'opportunist' criminals ‐ they will not havebeen watching you or your home but may be passing by and notice a window left open, or ahouse that looks unoccupied, has little or no obvious security, or where there is natural‘cover’ so they think they won't be seen.Home Office figures show nearly 80% of household burglaries happen during the daytime.Doors and WindowsInstalling 'Secured by Design' doors and windows can greatly enhance the security of a property.The strongest doors and windows can still be overcome if you do not ensure that they are lockedwhenever necessary. A sound routine should be established to prevent a burglar taking advantageof an open window or insecure door:YesNoAll external doors should be fitted with a lock or locking mechanism whichmeets either British Standard 3621 or British Standard EN 1303 for cylinderlocks.Before replacing locks, check the condition of the door or window. It may bebetter to invest in a good quality door or window with built in locks instead.If you need to replace a door, door frame or window, please check with thesupplier that it complies with the British Standard PAS 24 ‐2012 for security ofdoors and windows. Manufacturers of these standards of doors and windowscan be found at: www.securedbydesign.com. For replacement locks contact alocksmith via The Master Locksmiths Association: www.locksmiths.co.uk .If you have UPVC doors you must lift the handle and turn the lock to fullysecure the door.External wooden doors should be fitted with at least two locks to theapproved standard.Patio doors are potentially vulnerable. An anti‐lift device could be installed toprevent sliding patio doors from being lifted out of their tracks. Locks fitted topatio doors should also meet the standards highlighted in the previousparagraph.Window locks are strongly recommended for ground floor windows and allother windows which are easily accessible from the ground, for example,where they can be reached from a flat roof extension.If you don't have a window in your front door, or some other way of checkingwho's calling, fit a door viewer.Consider fitting a letterbox cage or other restrictor, which prevents thievesfrom putting their hands through the letterbox and trying to open the latchesfrom the inside.

AlarmsInstalling an alarm can help protect your home. There are two main types: audible only alarms andremote signalling alarms. Audible only alarms, when activated, can deter criminals from continuingfurther and can attract the attention of passers by and neighbours. Remote signalling alarms willbe monitored by a monitoring centre who will notify the keyholder and, if registered with police,will inform police who will respond. Consider the following advice prior to fitting an alarm system:Audible alarms rely to some extent on there being someone in the vicinity to hearthem, so in remote areas these alarms become less effective.The alarm box itself should be fixed to a prominent position on the outside of yourhome in order for it to act as a visual deterrent.The alarm should meet any conditions set by your insurer.Both types of alarm need to be regularly maintained as false activations canbecome an annoyance for your neighbours and a waste of police resources. Severalfalse alarms from the same location may mean that police stop responding.Marking PropertyProperty is often recovered in circumstances which lead the police to suspect that it is stolen but itcan be difficult to trace the rightful owner. Security marking is one way to help ensure that thepolice can return your property to you if it is found and to prove an offence has occurred, whichmay lead to a successful arrest and prosecution.YesNoProperty should be marked using an ultra violet pen or by engravingUse your postcode and your house number in brackets. If your home does nothave a number use the first two letters of your house name.Always mark the back or underside of items.If you move home, security mark all your items again.Items which cannot be marked by conventional means, such as jewellery,should be photographed. Place something next to the item to give an idea ofscale (e.g. a coin) and keep the photographs in a safe place.Register all your property for free on www.immobilise.com . If your phone,bike, computer or other registered item is lost or stolen, immobilise informsthe police, insurers and the second hand trade and helps in the recovery ofyour property.Garages & ShedsGarages and sheds are often full of expensive tools, which are not only of value to a thief but idealto use for breaking into your home!YesNoNever leave a garage or garden shed unlocked, especially if it has aconnecting door to the house. A thief could get in and work on the doorinside without being seen.Fit strong padlocks to shed and garage doors and make sure that the doorsare solid enough not to be kicked in.Lock ladders inside your garage or shed to stop a thief using them to reachupstairs windows. If there is no room in your garage or shed, chain orpadlock them horizontally to a sturdy bracket on an outside wall.Consider having lockable steel boxes fitted to the floor to store your tools in,or anchor posts fitted to the floor to secure larger tools and equipment.Visibly and permanently mark property you keep in sheds and garages.Consider purchasing a low cost shed/ garage stand‐alone alarm system.

GardensYesNoA thorny hedge along the boundary of your property can put thieves off. Butmake sure that passers‐by can still see the front of your home so that aburglar can't work without being seen.Burglars don't like gravel, it's noisy to walk on.Don't build pergolas, gazebos and so on too near to the house, they can helpthieves reach upper windows.FencingFencing is often the first line of defence when it comes to deterring a thief. It can offer a barrierwhich is either difficult to climb or helps define your property. Please consider the followingadvice:YesNoA low level fence and gate (approx. 1m high) at the front of your houseallows any potential burglar to be seen by you and/or your neighbours.At the rear of your house a fence approximately 1.8m high with an opentrellis provides good security and is difficult to climb.Strategic planting can also deter intruders. Consider planting Berberis,Blackthorn or Firethorn, or any other prickly bushes.Gates leading to the rear of the house should ideally be in line with the frontof your house. This increases the chances of you or your neighbours seeingsomeone trying to access them.LightingA burglar will do everything they can to avoid being seen. During the hours of darkness, a homewithout any lights on indicates not only that a home may be empty but that neighbours are unlikelyto see anyone approaching. Consider the following lighting advice for your home:YesNoUse ‘Dusk to Dawn’ lighting. Lighting can be very effective. Lighting yourhome sends out a clear message to the potential thief that the householderhas put in place security measures.Use timer switches on internal lights so they switch on and off automaticallyand make it look like there is someone at home.When you’re awayYesNoCancel any milk or newspaper deliveries.Cut the lawn before you go – if possible, ask someone to cut it again if youare away for some time.Don't put your home address on luggage labels when travelling to yourdestination.If you can, get a friend or neighbour to look after your home while you'reaway. Ask them to collect your post, draw your curtains at night and openthem in the mornings, and generally make the place look lived ‐ in. Beprepared to do the same for them.Avoid discussing holiday plans where strangers may hear details of yourabsence from home.Consider leaving important documents and valuable items with other familymembers or a bank, or lock them in a safe.If you normally leave valuable pedal cycles or similar items in your shed,consider putting them in the house for extra security while you are away.For further crime prevention advice speak to your Safer Neighbourhood Team by calling 101or visit www.herts.police.uk