Out of 119 different answers that were given, the most frequently mentioned preventative
measures in order of effectiveness were stated as follows:
• The presence of a number of small dogs inside the house that will bark when they
become aware of suspicious activity outside. Teach any dogs not to take food from
strangers, as perpetrators will not hesitate to poison a dog to neutralise it as a threat.
• Razor wire or electric security fences around the entire perimeter of the house.
Beware of an electric fence alarm repeatedly going off as this could be caused
by perpetrators deliberately causing a short-circuit to the fence in order to get
the residents to turn the fence off.
• Pre-warning alarm systems such as security alarm sensors in the garden, along the
outside walls, on the roof and in the ceiling. Alarm systems in garages or storerooms
will make perpetrators lives difficult, as they generally do not carry housebreaking
tools with them. They usually break into a garage or tool shed first to get what they
need to force the locks or break the windows of a house.
• An armed response service.
• There is an ‘open view’ into the house or garden from the street or a neighbouring
property. This means that the perpetrator could be seen by a neighbour or a person in
the street.
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• Security lights that make it difficult to move around the outside of the house at night
without being seen, especially sensor lights in front of bedrooms.
• CCTV systems and an intercom system for speaking to people who are outside
of the property.
• Layers of security as opposed to a single security system.
• Strong doors and security gates with good quality locks.
• Door alarms that are activated when residents are at home.
• Curtains are drawn at night which prevent perpetrators from identifying the
movement and location of the residents in the house.
• The existence of a “secure room” within the house where residents are able to
escape to once they are aware of an attack.
• Panic buttons should be placed where residents are most likely to need them. Apart
from doorways, these devices should be kept in places where residents will be able to
access them in places where they are likely to be held during the robbery. For
instance in the lounge under chairs or tables, under beds in bedrooms, in bathrooms
as people are often locked in bathrooms and bedrooms during a robbery.
• Always check for signs of a forced entry when entering or leaving your home.
• Keep a copy of the ID Book of any employees who have access to or work at the
house including names and contact details of their relatives.
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