Former burglars reveal what makes a home a target at Christmas

Jody Coffey

These are good to know in advance of the holidays!

Former burglars have shared what can make a house the prime target of theft ahead of the Christmas holidays.

From empty packaging to social media posts, there are several ways to protect your home and scare off an intruder.

While it’s not a nice thought, it certainly is useful information to have when it comes to home safety.

Anthony Neary, the managing director of security retailer Safe.co.uk, spoke to a number of ex-burglars to find out exactly what burglars look for.

Unlocked doors

Many house thefts are crimes of opportunity.

While it may be your routine to lock up, it’s easy to forget with the buzz of festivities or added pressures this time of year.

According to one ex-burglar, many intruders will simply go door-to-door checking handles.

“Lock your doors,” they advised. “Seems simple, but lots of people don’t, especially when busy or stressed around Christmas.”

To this, Anthony adds that all homeowners should ensure that all windows and exterior doors are shut and locked at night, or when the family is away.

“Fitting mortice locks to doors and gates can also improve security as they are more difficult to tamper with,” he adds.

“If your door has a letterbox, be mindful of where you keep your keys, as cunning thieves have methods to take keys from the inside of the door, granting them full access to your home.”

Helpful items outside

Believe it or not, unlikely items around the property can give burglars a hand in gaining entry to a home.

“Don’t leave anything around for a burglar to climb on or move that helps them enter your house,” the former burglar urged.

To this, Anthony references wheelie bins as an example of an item that can help them scale fences or walls, whicb can allow them access to a back garden, the back door, or a shed – places a family may not have safely secured.

“Thieves can also use your tools to help them break into your house,” he added.

“We suggest keeping your bins behind a locked gate and using weatherproof padlocks to secure outdoor storage.”

Social media posts

Posting over Christmas is understandable, especially if you are abroad and taking in new scenery for the holidays.

It’s sad to think that simply sharing the fun could expose your home to robbery, but according to one former burglar, it’s a very real possibility.

“I used Facebook to see when people would be away, you won’t believe how many post on social media about visiting family for a few days,” they revealed.

Anthony supported this warning, adding that nobody should advertise that their home is unoccupied.

“Wait until you have returned home to post pictures with your loved ones, or a burglar will have ample time to plan their theft,” he suggested.

‘This includes geotagging stories, as a thief can work out how far away you are from home.”

Empty packaging

This is not one that many would think would attract a potential break-in but empty packaging laying around outside can serve as a bank statement for a burglar.

“Leaving empty boxes from high end electronics outside your house allows any burglar casing your estate to see that you have a lot of valuable items ready to be taken,” one former burglar warned.

With this in mind, Anthony suggests keeping gifts ‘out of sight’ or else getting them broken down and straight to recycling.

“The disposal of Christmas packaging is an advert for what new tech and appliances you have,” he adds.

“Even boxes from less expensive items left outside or in your bin can be used to their advantage and a burglar will likely take their chance to lift tens of gifts and be gone in seconds.”

No exterior lights

If you love bright lights and seasonal decor, it’s a good thing.

According to a former burglar, flashy lights are a huge deterrent to a potential intruder as they make it hard for them to go undetected.

“Having lights that illuminate the drive and garden, not just the house, gets rid of blind spots where people can hide.”

Safety expert Anthony adds that a dark home can make a home look ‘vacant’ to a burglar, giving them the confidence to attempt a break-in.

“This makes it obvious that the owner is asleep or not at home. To deter or startle burglars, security lights are an essential purchase for long nights and will alert you to any activity,” he warns.

“It is also always a good idea to have added security in place such as CCTV and burglar alarms especially if staying away from home over the festive period.”