Burgled while we were at home

So sorry for you. I had an attempted burglary while I was home, but think the scumbags thought the house was empty. It happened when my car had failed its MOT and was not economical to repair, so there was no car outside as I had not had the opportunity to replace it. They must have thought I'd gone out!

I always leave lights on in the evening and have no curtains in the kitchen. I was in the living room with curtains closed and heard what I thought was something falling off a surface in the kitchen so went to investigate. With all dark outside and lights on in the kitchen all I could see was my own reflection in the french doors and the door handle moving. They must have been as shocked to see me as I was to see the door handle moving and presumably ran off. By the time I'd recovered from the shock it was too late to ring 999 so I rang 101 who did nothing! I was really shaken up by it.

The next day I investigated outside and found a large shovel abandoned in my garden with a missing corner which was on the patio. They had clearly tried to lever open the doors with the shovel. Thank goodness I heard them as I dread to think what would have happened if they had got in! When I reported the shovel I'd found the police came and were very good, sending SOCO who took casts of footprints in the garden. They also supplied me with alarms to fit to both sets of rear doors which should go off if the doors are shaken. (They worked at first but don't any more but they are a visible deterrent.) They also supplied timer plugs so I can set up lights to go on and off if I go away.

One of the most disturbing things was the thought that they had been 'casing the joint' as most break-ins tend to be opportunistic unless they think you really have a lot of valuables - I certainly don't - but losing anything personal is upsetting even if of little value!

I've since had a curtain rail put up over the kitchen doors though I've yet to put up curtains - I have them but they need shortening. Once I got over the shock it didn't seem so important so is still on the 'To Do' list!

I hope you get back your lost items and soon feel safe again. I was very lucky, but I still felt shaken up for a few weeks afterwards. It must be so much worse for you.

Thank goodness it didn't happen while we were asleep in bed that would have been even worse.
We are to have the camera linked to my phone installed.
Stable door and horse comes to mind, but also lightening striking twice.

We were robbed while asleep in bed. They broke in through the garage, the door normally very noisy when opened, but it seemed they moved it just enough for some to crawl through on their belly. They stole my handbag, mobile phones and drove away in our two cars. The police stated they had been after my car, a Z3 (this was a several years ago), and had probably followed me for a couple of days. This was scary as my husband was working away and only returned that night, hence his car was taken too. The police also said it was lucky we didn't wake up and challenge them as they were likely 'tooled' up and we could have ended up seriously hurt or even dead. We had a burglar alarm installed just after this, with a 'panic' button in the bedroom.

Lincolnimp When I read this it made me feel sick. It reminded me of what happened to my friend a few years ago, she was in bed at night when she woken up and discovered a man rifling through her her husband's jacket pocket . The jacket was hanging on a chair next to the bed. He had taken her husband's wallet. All hell let loose, and the man climbed out of the window, from whence he came. It turned out it to be a neighbour, who knew exactly when my freind's husband got payed. The people who do this sort of thing are scum.

Isn't it just the most awful experience. We were burgled whilst at home too. I had left the back door open and the burglar came into the kitchen and stole my electric bike. The police knew exactly who it was and have rung me this morning to check I am happy to appear in court so I am hoping they will throw the book at him.
My insurance company were quite happy to pay up (although I got the bike back) as were home at the time so hopefully yours will too. Direct Line were brilliant.
We have now fitted door sensors linked to Alexa who tells us if the door opens. The back door lets anybody know that a silent alarm has been activated and when the door is closed, it reminds us to lock the door. We have fitted high gates and are in the process of fitting security cameras. I was more angry than shaken when it first happened but I realised that it had shaken me more than I had first thought which is why we organised a few safeguards.
I hope you are lucky like us and get your property back but more importantly, it doesn't unsettle you enough to blight your life.

Hopefully the insurance company will be sympathetic, as it was during the day when you could reasonably be expected to have the door unlocked. Another anti-burglary tip I was given is never to leave your keys in the lock when you have locked the door as it is possible to turn the lock from the other side and get in that way.

I hope your insurance will cover you as you left the door unlocked on porch and front door.
Fingers crossed they do.

Thank you all for your kind words

I did write a reply then the insurers rang and it seems not to have come through to here, so apologies if I post twice.
The police have been excellent, very pleasant and supportive, though unfortunately there are no usable fingerprints.
Insurance appears to be proceeding smoothly. I have a video call with the appointed assessor tomortow, he sounded fully up to date that we have no photos or receipts and the only ancient valuations we have for my inherited items were in the 'precious items' box whose contents were taken.

We have discovered that the key to the french windows is missing.
It may have been taken out and put somewhere by our daughter so that the children don't play with it she can't recall, but to be on the safe side we are having the lock changed this afternoon.

We also discovered that they took a large pair of cutting out scissors from my sewing cupboard. Thank goodness we didn't confront them as they likely would have used them as a weapon

Oh my word! What a horrible experience for you.
Our next door neighbour was burgled while at home several years ago.
They gained access by using his wheelie bin to climb on to a flat roof, remove the landing window from the frame, they then proceeded to raid a desk in the front room downstairs - the chap was sitting in the back room watching tv. We heard a few bumps (we're in a semi) but like you assumed that it was or neighbour as at times he had a habit of banging doors and drawers!
They took a large amount of cash he had taken out to pay a couple of bills the next day along with a few items that had belonged to his deceased parents,
Only reason he knew anything had happened was because they left the front door open and he felt a draught! They luckily had dropped his door keys as they left the house.
Glad to hear that the police have been helpful and I will guess that it will be your anger that carries you through.

I am so sorry to hear this.

I hope you insurance company are helpful - you can never replace the items and the memories, but it helps if you aren't haggling over the value of the things you have had stolen.

I hope that the police are able to give you some advice to think about regarding your home security.

This happened to us when I was 7 months pregnant and on Christmas Eve. Thieves broke in and helped themselves to our booze and chocolates then took off with our gifts for all our family and friends. Our cat wandered into our bedroom which is what woke us (she slept in the living room). My husband bravely went downstairs whilst I called the police. They didn’t catch the burglars but hubby must have scared them enough that they shot off. Found some of the presents scattered around the path and garden along with an 8 inch knife. Not a happy experience.

So sorry to hear of this. Horrible that you were in the house at the time. Hope you at least get your sentimental items back. I always keep my doors locked even during the day - my ex husband walking in on me one evening, cured me of leaving them unlocked- ever!

How awful for you!
We’ve got ring.com so we can hear & see if anyone comes anywhere near the front door - you can get cameras fitted around the outside of the house to link up too. Peace of mind!
Hope they get caught and you get justice!

Lincolnimp, this is so horrible for you. I remember when my in laws were burgled, saying that it wasn’t just what was taken that upset them, but knowing that somebody had been in their home, touching everything and tipping stuff about.
I do hope you are able to get over this in the not too distant future, and that the police can help you.

How upsetting and sad for you, especially the loss of items that can never be replaced.

Oh my my heart goes out to u all! We were burgled twice in our previous home both times we were at home. First time we were asleep and our children were young teenagers it really spooked our daughter. They took all the washing off the line much to my son’s upset as there were mostly his clothes. The credit card got a hammering replacing them! Not much else taken other than a pair of gold earrings I’d had for years but not worth much.
Last time around 3 yrs ago I was asleep in bed in the house on my own as DH was on nights. They took my wedding engagement and friendship rings that I’d had for over 40 yrs I was so upset but kept telling myself they were only things. As the police said it could have been much worse. DH replaced my rings but it’s not the same x

What a horrible thing to happen to you. I will show this to my husband who thinks my security measures during the day are ott! I think I'm getting my bed linen printed with the word "Swag" then perhaps thieves might get stopped in their tracks - maybe in luminous letters too. I'd be upset, as I'm sure you must be, but absolutely incensed with rage at the sheer cheek of it. I do hope all goes smoothly in your dealings with Police and insurance people. I expect you have been told about victim support. Do use them if you feel the need. I've heard they are very helpful. Good luck and very best wishes.

Our house was burgled in 1991, and the 2 thieves, (seen by a farmer from across the fields), left a crowbar on our bed. (The burglars seem to have been disturbed by something, and left in a hurry, as a video recorder was left half disconnected too). Police told me it was VERY lucky I had not returned home and entered the house....as they would very likely have used the crowbar.

So sorry to hear that, similar thing happened to my Mum in her eighties, they took her engagement ring but she had the presence of mind to sit on her purse. I think the worst thing is that it shook her confidence so much.

So sorry to read about the burglary. Very frightening! A couple of years ago, we bought a video doorbell (Ring in our case, though other makes are available), plus a Ring camera with light for the back. If anyone comes in range of either device, the apps on our phones/pads start jingling. They are not too difficult to set up if you have a smart phone or pad and mean you can be aware if anyone approaches the house even if you are away.
Another useful idea to prevent a burglar getting into your property by pulling down a front door handle through the letterbox if the door is not locked on a key is to fit a post basket to the inside of the letterbox. The obstruction will mean they can’t easily fish through the letterbox as well as making post easier to pick up.

DH's cousin and his wife had their brand new cars stolen off the drive a day or two after they were bought. Thieves used a rod through the letterbox to lift the keys from the hall table.
When we had alterations to the house we opted for a front door without a letterbox, we have a slot in the side wall of the porch and post goes into a cupboard.
We also had our windows altered after someone tried to gain access by removing beading and trying to remove the whole window. My neighbour had her kitchen window removed the same night.
Have to say we have not had any attempted break ins since installing CCTV, I have stickers warning of 24 hour video recording but the car has been broken into under one camera right under an enormous yellow warning sign telling them they were being recorded.
I really don't think they give a stuff, nothing happens to thieves even if caught.

Effalump; same thing happened here, months later the police said they had driven the convicted burglar round the neighbourhood where he pointed out houses he had 'done'.

One thing we were told, is never to leave car keys anywhere near a door with a letterbox, since thieves are very adept at contriving gadgets to hook and retrieve them, in order to steal cars.
I’m not sure they’d be interested in our cars - there’s something to be said for having fairly boring, run of the mill ones - but our keys always go well away from the front door now.

I'm so sorry for you; it is a very unsettling & upsetting experience. We have been burgled twice while at home; the first time, many years ago when our youngest was a baby & still having a daytime nap, I was gardening; went upstairs to check on him & found one burglar in our bedroom & a second one jumped out of the window. Luckily, baby was in another room & slept through....

Maybe look into getting a Ring video door bell? You can buy them from Amazon.
It has a motion detector that will start videoing when anyone approaches your front door so any opportunistic burglar will be caught on camera.

www.amazon.co.uk/all-new-ring-video-doorbell-1080p-hd-video-advanced-motion-detection-and-easy-installation-venetian-bronze/dp/B07WGJ8XN4/ref=sr_1_2?hvlocphy=20474&hvnetw=g&keywords=ring+door+cam+view&hvadid=473158412624&qid=1614856319&dchild=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI7cHnxMCW7wIVqujtCh242gMcEAAYAiAAEgLMG_D_BwE&hydadcr=4051_1737863&hvdev=c&hvqmt=b&tag=gransnetforum-21&hvtargid=kwd-810015011502&adgrpid=110794981185&hvrand=3097951396873015081&sr=8-2