Former burglars reveal the most effective ways to stop your home being robbed
Contrary to popular belief, the most effective way to stop a burglar is not your big naked dad swinging his nine iron from the top of the stairs, bellowing at some startled chancer who's just pried open the window.
No, according to 12 former actual burglars, who were polled by insurance company Co-op, dogs and CCTV cameras are your best bet when it comes to preventing your home from getting ransacked.
They also named strong heavy doors, a TV being switched on and locked uPVC windows as the next most likely to put them off breaking into a home. But, surprisingly, having a burglar alarm fitted was way down at 13th on the list of deterrents.
Top 10 deterrents for burglars
CCTV camera
Sound of a barking dog
Strong, heavy doors
TV that has been switched on
Locked UPVC windows
Cars parked on driveway
Overlooking property
Surrounding fences
Gates outside the property
Motion-activated security lights
Top 10 deterrents for car thieves
CCTV street camera
Car alarm
Street lighting
Car parked on a driveway
Newer vehicle
Steering lock device
Older car
Neighbourhood Watch-designated areas
Car parked in a dark alleyway
In order of importance, the burglars said that they'd typically be on the lookout for cash, jewellery, electrical equipment like TVs, phones and tablets, laptops and car keys.
Caroline Hunter, head of home insurance at Co-op, said: 'Nobody should have to go through the trauma of having their property burgled, and there are some small measures which homeowners should be mindful of to ensure any opportunists cannot be tempted.'
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