NATIONAL HOME SECURITY MONTH
Be CCTV Alert to Post-Lockdown Criminals this Winter
» WITH LOCKDOWN MEASURES considered now in the precarious balance of working lives and school runs , home security is one area that must be prioritised to ensure one less concern , especially over the winter months .
Here , Umar Haq , Director at Learn CCTV , looks at how locksmiths can enhance their home security portfolio and support homeowners to keep their homes safe in these uncertain times , utilising the latest in professionally installed , visual , audio and smart solutions .
During full lockdown , reports of theft and burglaries plummeted – halving yearon-year – as houses were no longer left unoccupied during the day and burglars were restricted by lockdown curfews at night .
Since these restrictions were lifted and despite regionalised lockdowns and national restrictions , rates are rising again . With the misconception that burglaries and break-ins happen at night , the reality is that they work at all times of the day , whenever the opportunity strikes .
Most burglaries take place between 10am and 3pm , so it helps to be cautious all day long . And this window of opportunity is only set to increase as curfews are reintroduced .
“ Whilst some of us are still working largely from home , the number of people out at work during the day , a return to school runs and an increase in empty homes is having “ consequences for individuals , communities and the impact on societal behaviour 1 ” – are all causing an increase in theft .
There are subsequent trends occurring , that can also impact on crime and disorder . Not least when there are challenges economically , some may out of pure desperation consider other ways to keep families in the lifestyles they are accustomed . And this is especially in the lead up to
Christmas , which itself will undoubtedly be a different experience this year .
Dark nights are also a big factor , traditionally a season when crime is on the increase and the late afternoon periods , with nights drawing in early , providing essential cover for the opportunist to strike .
Now is a perfect time to encourage homeowners to consider their home security and keeping belongings and family safe , with the latest in smart home security technology and a few old-fashioned tricks too .
Home Security
We consider an onion-like layered approach to home protection , to provide an enhanced level of security , whilst at the same time considering the surrounding area and community .
Our aim is to deter the criminal by making a home as inaccessible as possible ; to impede access right from the perimeter and ideally before the intruder reaches the house where high quality , professionally installed locks will prevent unauthorised entry .
This is where CCTV , operational intruder alarms and floodlights are critical to success . But only in conjunction with ensuring locks on doors and windows achieve the standards expected with insurance requirements . One without the other and a home and its contents remains vulnerable .
CCTV
Not too long ago , having CCTV installed in a home as a security measure was seen as a drastic , expensive endeavour .
Nowadays , the accessibility and affordability of CCTV and visual verification technology has allowed for major advancements in video camera quality , recording capability and , importantly , affordability .
So effective , 2 CCTV cameras are now the leading reason why both burglars and car thieves will keep walking past a house or vehicle , and hone in on a neighbour who doesn ’ t have a visible deterrent .
Thieves , by the very nature of their work , like to enter and leave a home as quickly as possible . A CCTV system makes life difficult and increases the chances of both detection and identification . The more time consuming it is , or the more attention a break-in is likely to attract , the less likely it is that a home or property will be targeted .
But also , from a convenience perspective , CCTV keeps homeowners powered and protected to check on their home from wherever they are . CCTV installation fits today ’ s mobile connected lifestyles .
1
Quote taken from article , first published 24 July 2020 : https :// www . thisismoney . co . uk / money / bills / article-8548567 / Burglaries-expected-rise-summer-protect-home . html
2
Data suggested in article published , 28 Jauary 2019 : https :// www . briantcomms . com / cctv-is-the-most-effective-deterrent-against-burglary-and-car-theft /
30
SEP / OCT 2020
locksmithjournal . co . uk Issue Takeover