19 Jul How Do Burglars Use Doors And Windows To Break In?

The Metropolitan Police warn residents that burglars target homes with vulnerabilities they can exploit. In an effort to protect your home from crime, the Metropolitan Police recommend keeping your windows and doors as secure as possible.

Keeping Your Doors Secure

In an article on door security, the police say thieves can tell a lot about the levels of security around a home from what condition the front door is in. Consider getting a spy hole and security chain fitted so you can check who is at the door before you open it. Another security feature to think about, is a mailbox guard – they don’t look pretty, but they can stop a thief with a hook trying to get your keys or wallet you’ve left near the door. Having a mortice lock and a double-locking nightlatch are also recommended by the police for greater door security.

Don’t forget your back doors either; make sure your patio doors are fitted with anti-lift devices and that all your doors (including any side access doors) are in good condition with regular maintenance and security checks.

Making Sure Your Windows Are Safe

Burglars apparently find windows easier to break into than doors so keeping your windows in good condition, and secure, is paramount to protecting your house from thieves. The police recommend sash-stops to prevent anyone climbing through a partially open window. Trying to break one of these will be hard and noisy so they are a good deterrent. Laminated glass or security film can be added to windows to make them harder to smash, and checking you have locked your windows with key locks before you go to bed or leave the house is also important. Don’t forget to hide the keys away from the window so they can’t be spotted.

How Can A Burglar Tell If Your Windows And Doors Are Not Secure?

There are signs that your windows and doors are not in great condition and therefore could be broken into easier than new ones.

• If your windows and doors are difficult to open or close properly, it could be a sign the locking mechanisms are failing, and this will make it easier for a burglar to gain entry.
• Doors and windows can move or ‘drop’ out of place a little as they get older. If they are not set in their frames properly this can make them more vulnerable to being forced open or even removed entirely.
• Another key point is if your windows or doors are rotting or falling apart in any way. This is easy to spot from a distance so can be attractive to thieves looking for a target. Deteriorating doors and windows will be easier to break into quickly, especially if they are rotting wood or very damaged.

How Do UK Homes Get Burgled?

These alarming facts about home break-ins will encourage you to check how secure your windows and doors are.

• Burglars will often return to a home they have previously burgled because homeowners will frequently not upgrade their security after a break-in.
• Burglars will return to the same area they have burgled before because they spotted vulnerabilities on other properties they want to exploit.
• 58% of burglars break in when someone is in the home
• 67% of burglars break in through a door

Although the number of police recorded burglary offences in England and Wales have decreased since 2002/03, there were still 266,283 burglaries reported in 2021/22 so far. You can’t guarantee complete prevention, but you can reduce the risk of being a victim of this type of crime by ensuring your windows and doors are in good condition and secure.