Distraction burglary Q&A with Met Police

gillybob

Hi Simon

My grandma is 98 and lives alone. She lives in a bungalow with a front door and back door at opposite ends of the house, both with easy access from the street. She has a mechanical code entry system on the front door so carers/doctors/family can gain access, however anyone else would have to knock and wait for her to get to the door and answer. She does have a habit of leaving the back door open (unlocked) and everytime I mention it she will say something like "Oh I was just feeding the birds" or "putting something in the bin" "it has only been unlocked a few minutes". I worry that eventually someone will knock at her front door and she will go to answer it (despite me telling her she shouldn't) and someone else will walk in through the back. She has a habit of hoarding sums of money under cushions and behind clocks (not huge sums but significant enough) and is so trusting and naive. She really thinks this kind of thing would never happen "around here". I do try and get the point accross without frightening her but don't know what else I can do.

Thanks for your question.

Firstly, you cannot totally rule out the chance of crime; but what you can do is to make your Grandmothers home as secure as possible. My concern, from reading your e-mail, is that she could be targeted by 'Bogus Callers' . These criminals use a range of tricks and cheats to get inside someone’s home. I have included a number of tips to try and keep these individuals away below.

Having a good relationship with neighbours or being part of a neighbourhood watch scheme can really help. If thieves feel an area is 'switched on', vigilant, then they will feel uncomfortable and will go elsewhere.

Trim back the hedges, trees and other shrubs to keep you property as open as possible. Thieves will often look for cover.

Install some outdoor lighting; it works as a powerful deterrent. A thief will be less inclined to commit a crime if there is a lighting system in place - I would look at dusk to dawn lights as opposed to a motion activated system which can be set off repeatedly by animals.

Make sure the back door/garden is secure. You wrote that the back door of the property could be easily accessed? If there is a fence in the back garden maybe top it with a trellis to make it higher? That way you are making it as difficult as possible for the burglar to access the rear of the property. A common tactic for "Bogus Callers" is for one of them to press the buzzer and their accomplice to run round the back and come in through the back door.

Always ask for identification. Another tactic is when the criminal pretends to be a member of the Gas or Water Board - most of these companies now have passwords or codes. Make sure she asks them when they turn up. As a general rule if she isn't expecting anybody then she shouldn't let them in.

Put up anti cold caller signs. This can reduce the number of unexpected callers that might turn up at your grandmother's house. Sadly, bogus callers aside, there are a number of businesses who are known to target people in your grandmothers demographic, so dissuade them from turning up.

Install quality doors and locks. What condition are her doors/locks in? Check their condition for rot and other ware and tear. It's important they look secure to deter a would be thief.

If you need to get new doors then I would recommend a new 'door set' to British Standard PAS 24-1 'Doors of Enhanced Security'. Bought as a complete kit, this shows the door, frame, locks and fittings have been attack tested. BS PAS 24 doors sets are available in different materials.

If fitting locks to a standard door, fit a five lever mortise lock tested to BS:3621 plus a BS:3621 night latch and before you fit any locks to a PVC-U or metal door check with the installer to make sure that this will not affect your warranty.

Windows - what type of windows does your grandmother have? What sort of condition are the windows in-do they require paint or restoration-are they easily accessed? Does your grandmother leave the windows open? One option is for window restrictors.

Property marking - there are a number of security-accredited property marking companies that, with your grandmother, you could potentially utilise (again, review the instructions that will come with them).

With reference to the hoarding of money, could you speak with her and potentially arrange for these monies to be correctly placed with the bank? There is always the option of a safe, placed in a safe and secure location to the correct security and insurance accreditations and bolted to the floor.

I would also recommend that you contact your local Safer Neighbourhood Policing Team (their details will be available online). Thanks for your question.

brightonrock

may i ask another about leaving the house empty -especially if we are going on holiday. We live on a main road so if we are loading suitcases in the car there is no way to stop people seeing this. If we walk to the station wheeling our bags it is just as obvious. If we get a cab I always worry that it may be an unscrupulous driver (we use a local firm who are generally reliable) who may inform people that the coast is clear so to speak. I would really value your advice because worrying about the empty house takes a shine off the holiday. (If taking a cab we usually have a loud conversation about our housesitter who does not actually exist) as you can probably tell...im a worrier.

The best thing you can do is to have a trusted friend or neighbour look after your home occasionally whilst you are away to pick up the mail and check on your security. A working burglar alarm, backed up with automatic lights that come on at different times, are a good deterrent. It is also a good idea to lock away any valuables into a safe that is hidden from view. Try not to advertise on social media such as Facebook that you are about to go away on holiday and try not to worry.

brightonrock

*nananew i agree on how dangeous it is to help a stranger now. the one time my son tried to help another young lad who was being hassled he got a broken nose for his trouble

and on another note we live on quite a busy road where someone could easily watch our house without really being noticed. so I am always a bit worried about whether its obvious we are out. we have an alarm. but if the car is not in the drive its pretty clear we have gone out (it is in the drive most of the time) is there a way round this? (short of having a spare car that lives in the drive)

You could arrange for a friend or good neighbour to use your drive when you know you are going to be away for a period of time. If this is not possible the best thing you can do is install automatic lights in your home that come on at different times.

hazelS

I try to impress on my teenage GC that is not safe to walk around using your phone in the street as it's an invitation to a chancer.

What can I tell them to make them understand once and for all that they may be putting themselves in danger in this way?

This is a common issue as many people now use their mobile phones in public and are often unaware of who is around them, putting them at increased risk of being targeted by thieves. My advice would be to try and get your grandchild to use common sense and only use their phone when with a group of friends, or in a safer environment where you can see around you and be especially careful when exiting public transport.

nananew

You often hear of people not helping when people are in trouble. I like to think that if I saw someone being mugged etc I would help them - but actually in this day and age where knife and gun crime is so prevalent I think I would frankly be too scared to intervene. What is the right thing to do?
The police can't be everywhere, on hand to help, at every given moment. I would like to think someone would help me if I was in danger.

Thanks

This is a very interesting question and there is no simple answer as every situation is different. What I would say is that if you were to see something going on, your personal safety is paramount. You must assess your capabilities and the risk to your own safety first. In my view the best thing anyone can do first is raise the alarm by dialling 999 or getting some help if the situation is in progress. Report your exact location and a description of what is happening, as this information will allow the correct trained people to respond as soon as possible.

neena

I'm siure you hear this situation all the time. Especially from 'older' people. We were broken into many years ago - a summer evening when we were in the (not very big) garden and someone the person got through an open window (no idea how as the only open ones were at the back where we were) and took a lot of jewellery that had great sentimental value. If I am honest I have never really got over it. So I have two questions if that is allowed/ One - how to have windows open on a hot day without putting us or our home and property at risk. And two - is it advisable to have a home safe or are there other things one should do within the home to protect valuables?

I am sorry to hear you were a victim of burglary and you raise two very good questions. We would normally advise that windows should be security rated to British Standard BS PAS 24 (2012). However, if you have an older house with period windows they may not be as robust - but you can make them more resistant to entry. For example, you can fit sash stops on to sash windows - which restricts opening and allows air in - but ensures no one can get in from outside. Market security fittings can also be bolted onto other types of windows, such as opening restrictors, which will do the same thing.

A home safe is a very good idea if you have valuables. The best ones have bolts that you can attach to the house in a concealed area. I would recommend that you place into the safe passports, a copy of your home insurance policy and other valuables. Remember to keep the key locked away elsewhere. An automatic light is a very good deterrent for when you are away from your house as it comes on after dusk. You may also want to consider installing a burglar alarm system.

artgran

Hi Simon.

What a tough job you have. Just want to say firstly thanks for all the work you do.

Can I also tell you an experience of mine which still upsets me to this day. I was once followed off a train and mugged as I walked home. It was late afternoon. I was not smartly dressed and nor did I have anything of value on me at the time. The young man caught my eye as we boarded the (very busy) train but only in a way you may glance at anyone in a busy environment. I still don't understand why me. Did I look vulnerable in some way? I can't think how but I really want to make sure I do everything I can to stop it ever happening again.

I feel very nervous at times now whwn I am out alone.

My sympathies for what happened to you previously. The fact is that anyone can become a victim but there are a few things you can do to reduce your risk when you are out and about. The main thing is to be aware of your environment and be confident in your body language and where you are going. Try to keep to main roads and busy streets where there is good lighting, lots of surveillance and CCTV. If you feel unsure or you think you are being followed, enter a local shop or store and ask for help.

LilyP57

Hi there,

I am really keen to ask you about car crime as it seems to be rife in out area especially where clickers (is that the name?!) are have opened my car door without force. My brother in law also had his BMW stolen in this way recently and on the same night three others were also taken locally. My Bil told me that thieves target cars in shopping centre car parks and other busy places and copy the key signal so they can follow and steal later on. Is this true? My husband would like to upgrade our car from a Vauxhall to a Mercedes but I am now worried it will make us a target in a way we are not at the moment.

Thanks, would appreciate any advice/info you can offer on this.

Lily

It is true that some vehicles are vulnerable to a specific method which allows criminals with sophisticated electronics to override the security, however, this vulnerability is not specific to any particular manufacturer. We have been informed that the automotive industry are working on countermeasures to combat this method and many new models of car are more resistant to attack. Whilst it is almost impossible to completely secure a vehicle in a public environment, such as a shopping centre car park, if you make use of a physical security device and select a facility that is well managed, has good lighting and CCTV you will reduce the chances of you vehicle being taken. The police approved Safer Parking scheme has a list of all the accredited car parks available.

Maggiemaybe

This isn't a question, and I realise it's about theft, rather than burglary, but thought the following might help fellow GNers.

My DH and I were having lunch in a city centre restaurant when a young man, very smartly dressed and well spoken, sat at the table behind me and made much of telling the waitress that he was waiting for friends. He put a couple of bags on the floor next to him. A few minutes later he bent down to faff with them, reached under our table and pulled my handbag towards him. I asked him loudly what he thought he was doing and he apologised profusely, saying he thought it was one of his bags. He'd just realised he was in the wrong branch of Cafe Rouge, apparently, and dashed out of the restaurant.

I'd have known nothing about it if I didn't always make a point of keeping a foot on my bag when it is on the floor.

Thank you for describing your experience. Whilst this could have been a simple mistake on the part of the young man, this type of distraction crime is common in busy bars and restaurants and you are quite right to keep physical control of your handbag. I would recommend that if possible, you loop the bag handle or strap through the legs of your chair and do not allow your bag to be placed out of sight behind you. Thank you for raising this.

lavendarlilac

After a spate of local burglaries we had an alarm fitted which has given us some peace of mind. When we go to bed we put the alarm on downstairs. Once it went off (turned out to be a drifting helium balloon that set off the sensor) and we were paralysed with fear about what on earth to do. Advice please in case it happens again and turns out not just to be a balloon.

The situation you describe is a common one and happens because many sensors on modern burglar alarms respond to movement. This can be quite disconcerting, even if it is caused by an animal or something else moving unexpectedly. To answer your specific question, a burglary whilst you are sleeping inside your home is a rare event - however if this were to occur, the best option would be to have a lock on your bedroom door and to keep a mobile phone near to where you sleep, as this would give you an opportunity to call 999 for help. Thanks for your question.