Domestic Burglary

A survey was done in the South of England investigating domestic burglars and their offending behavior.
Information was collected on factors influencing
• Choice of target
• Preferred method of entry into properties
• Reasons for committing burglaries
• Planning of offences
• Repeat offending at a particular property
• Burglars awareness of victims

The results showed that a specific factors within four categories of
• Occupancy
• Surveillance
• Accessibility
• Security

It was found that a number of burglars had targeted the same property more than once and even when the house owner installed new security measures it did not deter the victimization.

Victims are particularly affected by burglary and are one of the most feared by the public.

Most burglars enter through open windows or doors or by forcing windows or doors, some picked locks or use a key that has been left under a mat, plant pot or previously acquire. Although experienced burglars almost always enter the house from the back door.
About 12% of burglars indicted that they planned the burglary in advance but 41% said it was just spur of the moment.

Burglars focus on high value areas of a house
• living room
• bedrooms
They are more likely to take a high value items than lots of lower value items.

Burglars are attracted to sheds and outbuildings because they contain many everyday items unmarked and easy to sell and they are often unlocked or unsecure.
Locking the shed and not leaving tools and equipment and bikes outside will help lower the risk of having them stolen.
Ideally sheds should be positioned so that it cannot be seen from the street but not out of sight that you cannot see it from your

65% of burglaries occur between 6am and 6pm.
Most burglars do not want to risk meeting someone so they will try to burgle your home when you are most likely to be at work. The most common hours are between 10am and 3pm.
Most burglars are after high tec items. I pads laptops are the most frequently taking items.
Many break-ins incur as a result of forgetfulness with unlocked doors frequently being used and if the case then insurance company is don’t have to pay out.

Having your home broken into and discovering your belongings have been taken can be very traumatizing you then feel angry, frustrated and this can also cause anxiety. A burglary may affect children in a different way than the way it affects adults.
Some people can be affected by post-traumatic stress disorder after a burglary and may have to be referred to therapist (psychologist or psychiatrist).

A home invasion can sometimes result in violence, but even if no one is harmed the event can still cause serious damage to the peace of mind of everyone who lives in the house.
People feel vulnerable and uneasy in their own homes, the place where a person ought to feel