Doors

PVCu and Aluminium doors should have multi-locking systems.

Additional key operated locks can be fitted if required
Occupiers should be reminded to lift multi-locking handles and lock
with the key to prevent burglars reaching through the letter box and
opening the door
Internal letter box shields should be fitted to prevent car/house keys
being fished through the letterbox
Wooden front doors should be solid wood with a mortice lock and an
automatic deadlocking rim latch fitted (see next slide)
Door frames can be reinforced with 'London bar' or 'Birmingham bar'
Hinge bolts should be fitted to outward opening doors
Glass panels should be laminated or reinforced with grilles
Door viewers and chains can assist with unwanted callers

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Door viewer
Sturdy hinges
Letter boxes (should be at least
16inches from any locks)
Rim latch door lock
Automatic dead lock
Door chain
5 lever mortice dead lock

The door should be at least

44mm thick

Wooden Doors
A Five lever mortice deadlock should be fitted
to front doors a 3rd of the way up the door.
(TS 007:2011)
In many cases, home insurance polices will insist on this type of
lock being fitted as a minimum standard!

An automatic dead-latch cylinder rim lock

should be fitted a 3rd of the way down the
door. (TS 007)
Consider fitting a spy hole and/or a robust
door chain.
Back doors should have the same level of security
as front doors.

Front door security features

PATIO DOOR LOCKS

WINDOW LOCKS
Casement window lock
Sash window lock

UPVC window locks

OUTSIDE LIGHTING
Fit some form of security lighting to the
front and rear of the home
Low
level
Dawn
to
Dusk
lighting
or
Making targets more resistent to attack or more difficult to remove or damage
PIR (Passive Infra-Red) are inexpensive
and effective

Good lighting can put off or draw

attention to a thief but only when you are
over looked.

Note:
Dusk till Dawn lighting provides a constant deterrent
this has been proved to be more effective.
Problems with PIR sensors are:
they can be set off by animals.
people assume any activation is accidental and ignore
it.
The sensors can be turned or damaged to prevent
activation

A secure house

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Low front Boundary

High side and rear boundaries
Secure side gate, not recessed
Wheelie bin behind secure gate
Secure garage door
Secure shed and window

7. Gravel drive and path

8. Intruder alarm system fitted
9. Security light fitted
10. Secure front door
11. Closed and locked windows
12. Valuables protected and marked

Some examples

These doors should be fitted with extra locks and an

anti lift device which prevents the door from being
lifted and removed

12

Consider fitting trellis to the top of the fence in order to

deter people from using the road sign to climb over

A secure gate but entry can still be gained via the

neighbours side. Advise the neighbour to take similar
security precautions or place fencing along the top of
your wall

The hedging should be cut back in order to prevent people

from hiding along the path. The public are then more likely to
use it, which in turn would give more informal/natural
surveillance to the premises that are adjacent to it

The hedging should be cut back in order to prevent people from

hiding along the path. The public are then more likely to use it, in
which case there would give more informal/natural surveillance to
the premises that are adjacent to it.

15

No hedges or fencing allows for good informal and natural

surveillance from neighbours, passing motorists and
members of the public. A clearly defined border between
private and public property

16

The caravan is obstructing the view of the front of the

premises. This would allow a potential burglar the
opportunity to gain entry without being observed.

The caravan is obstructing the view of the front of

the premises. This would allow a potential burglar
the opportunity to gain entry without being
observed

The ladders should either be secured to the wall

or locked away.

The ladders should either be secured to the wall or

18
locked away

Never leave keys in or under pots, mats, rocks etc.

This is the first place a potential burglar will look.
Never leave keys
in or under pots,
mats, rocks etc.
This is the first
place a potential
burglar will look
19

Bins and other items left next to windows can and

will be used as climbing aids in order to gain
entry. They should be secured to a wall or other
area away from the building to prevent them
from being moved or used for this.

Bins and other items left next to windows can

be used as climbing aids and should be secured
to a wall or stored away from the building
20

Any gaps in hedging should be repaired in this

case, any potential burglar has a good view of the
shed and greenhouse (tools to aid entry).

Any gaps in hedging should be repaired in this case, any

potential burglar has a good view of the shed and
21
greenhouse that has tools to aid entry to the house

Any potential burglar would have great

difficulty in trying to get through this
hedge

Any potential burglar would have great difficulty

in trying to get through this hedge.

22

A good secure gate with plants

positioned by the walls in order
to deter access.

A secure gate with plants positioned by the walls in

order to deter access , the horizontal brace offers a
23
climbing aid, consider trellis across the top

A padlock secures the hasp and stable together

but no screws are holding the hasp in place
24

25

If theyre going away

cancel any milk or newspaper deliveries
cut the lawn before they go away
dont put a home address on luggage labels when
traveling to a destination
if possible, get a friend or neighbour to look after
the home while theyre away
Fit timer switches to some internal lights and a
radio on a talk show station to
give the impression that
someone is home

Securing valuables
A safe securely fixed to a wall and/or the floor reduces
the likelihood of important documents or other items
being stolen
Property marking and photographing valuables will
help deter burglars and assist police in identifying lost
or stolen property

Protecting your valuables

Marking things like jewelery or antiques is
difficult and could reduce their value.
Photograph each item, preferably in colour,
paying special attention to any distinguishing
marks.
Take the photograph against a plain background
and include a ruler to give an idea of size.

Property Marking
Why mark or register property?
Marked or registered property is:
easy to identify

difficult to sell

if stolen or lost it can be returned to its

rightful owner when recovered

Methods of Marking
Engraving Or Etching
UV Pen
UV liquids containing small metallic chips
Ceramic Marking Pens
Metal Punching

Immobilise
Property can be registered for free on line
at:www.immobilise.com

Useful Web Sites

www.met.police.uk
www.securebydesign.co.uk
www.immobilise.com

Final comments
This is a substantial presentation and
there is no expectation that all of its
contents are remembered.
Use it as a source of reference
For further advice speak to your local
Safer Neighbourhood Team