{"id":2457,"date":"2014-09-02T13:39:23","date_gmt":"2014-09-02T13:39:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/english.thesunrisetoday.com\/?p=2457"},"modified":"2014-09-02T13:39:23","modified_gmt":"2014-09-02T13:39:23","slug":"5-tricks-burglars-use-to-target-your-home","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/english.thesunrisetoday.com\/index.php\/5-tricks-burglars-use-to-target-your-home\/","title":{"rendered":"5 tricks burglars use to target your home"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"UK\"<\/a>Around seven million homes were victims of property crime in 2013, and analysis by Privilege Home Insurance has identified five common methods households need to know about.1.The first is that an increasing number of criminals are using metal detectors to locate items of jewellery hidden inside homes.\u201dThis is quicker than searching common hiding places like wardrobes or drawers, enabling them to locate items that aren\u2019t immediately visible,\u201d explained Dan Simson, head of Privilege Home Insurance.\u201dFamilies with high value items at home should consider a personal safe, ideally fixed to a wall or the floor somewhere burglars would not expect to find it, and preferably with a combination lock as keys may be found.\u201d
\n2. This first trend feeds into the second, which involves \u2018cash for gold\u2019 envelopes. Privilege\u2019s research found that thieves are carrying pre-addressed \u2018cash for gold\u2019 envelopes so they can quickly post stolen items as they leave the property and subsequently receive a cheque for the value of the item.
\n\u201cThey no longer need to worry about selling the stolen jewellery on and if they are stopped or raided after the break-in there is no material evidence linking them to the crime,\u201d said Simson.
\n3. Households also need to look out for stickers appearing on their front doors and burglars are using them to mark houses to target for break-ins.
\n\u201cIn recent cases the stickers appear to be advertising a 24-hour locksmith, when in actual fact no such business exists,\u201d explained Simson.
\n\u201cUnder no circumstances do companies have a right to mark a property or attach items to it. If this does occur, remove the sticker immediately and take extra precautions with home security checks, such as locking windows and doors.\u201d
\n4. The fourth crime trend to be wary of is garage theft. Privilege found that criminals are prising open garage doors with single central locks, to steal the items inside or to gain access to the main house through internal doors.
\n\u201cOn average, victims of garage theft lose items worth a total of \u00a3973, with tools, bikes and garden furniture being the most commonly targeted items,\u201d said Simson.
\n5. The fifth crime trend often occurs just outside the victim\u2019s home \u2013 but can happen anywhere \u2013 and is commonly referred to as \u201cApple picking\u201d.
\nThis happens when criminals \u2013 often on bikes \u2013 snatch mobile phones straight from the hands of the owner as they talk or text. Its name stems from the popularity of Apple\u2019s range of iPhone devices.
\n\u201cThe best advice here is to be vigilant and aware of your surroundings when using a phone in public, as thieves are more likely to target those who look distracted or engrossed in conversation. If people do fall victim to this type of crime, report it to the police immediately and do not attempt to chase the criminal down,\u201d says Simson.
\nTo keep your home as safe as possible, here are some top tips:
\nLock all windows and doors
\nInstall a security light or put your lights on a timer when your property is unoccupied
\nInstall a burglar alarm
\nJoin your local neighbourhood watch scheme and put a sticker on your front door
\nNever leave a key under the mat.<\/p>\n

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