The facts about the burglary epidemic that's sweeping Australia

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Hume ACT 2620

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Home Security Solutions

The facts about the burglary epidemic that's sweeping Australia

The number of burglaries committed in Australia in the last few years is at an alarming level. Household robberies occur so often in some suburbs, that they have reached epidemic proportions. Probably all of us have either had the unpleasant experience of being burgled, or know of someone whose home was broken into whilst at work, out for the evening, or away on holiday.

The figures

The cold hard facts, and figures, are enough to give any householder a chill. The number of robberies committed on private homes in Australia is around 170,000* a year - that's one every three minutes. And it's getting worse.

Of all these household burglaries:

79% are committed during daylight hours
54% of houses are entered by forcing the windows
32% of houses are entered by jemmying doors
70% or more of all household burglaries had inadequate security at point of entry

Who's committing these robberies?

These days, most household burglaries are committed by a new type of criminal. They are young, enemployed, and very often supporting some sort of drug habit. They are, in a sense, "amateur" burglars.

Only about 15% of intruders are hard core "professionals" with the skill and equipment to break into any home or property they want to.

Therefore it makes good sense to take simple precautions to foil this majority of "amateur" burglars. Properly fitted deadlocks on doors, and keyed security locks on windows are enough to turn away most thieves. Even a "professional" may move on, rather than spending too much time breaking in.

The uncounted cost

In all the statistics, there are some things that don't show up in the official tables.

The shock, and the trauma. The sickening realisation that your home has been defiled. Your security shattered. It's an experience nobody forgets, but need not happen if you take a few precautions, and use a little commonsense.

Argus Home Security Solutions

The best deterrent is being prepared!

To a burglar, your house is not your castle. It's his. Burglars like empty houses, easy to force windows, easy to force doors and no alarms.

There are many things you can do to deter burglars and help avoid a household robbery.

Make it hard to get in

Change the keying of your locks when you move in.
Install deadlocks to all external doors, including sliding doors.
Install Keyed window locks to all windows.
Have sufficient lighting on outside of house. The best is motion sensing lighting.
If you have locks in place - use them!
Don't assist burglars by leaving tools around for them to use. Lock them away.

General precautions

Photograph your paintings, antiques and other valuables.
Don't let unauthorised people in.
Make a note of the serial number of all your appliances.
Keep your valuables in a safe or the bank.
Have valuables engraved with your drivers licence number.
Don't put identification on a key ring.
Never leave notes on your door.
Be sure you home number is readable so police can find it quickly.
Don't leave a house key with unauthorised people.
Install a door viewer to check unexpected visitors.
Better still, install an Australian Standard Security Door as a solid barrier between you and any visitor.

If you're out or away...

Don't leave lights on to advertise that you are not home. Install motion sensing lighting for light when you need it.
Arrange curtains and blinds in normal open and closed positions.
Ask a neighbour of friend to keep an eye on your house.
Shut your garage door and padlock it.
Have parcels delivered to a neighbour while you're away.
Advise local police if you will be away for any length of time.
Ask a neighbour to clear your mail box regularly.
Cancel newspapers, milk, etc.
Have a neighbour put your bins out on garbage night.

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