Burglars

[Polly D]

Came home from honeymoon to find we'd been burgled ... they 'only' got into our communal area but this was enough to steal a v expensive bike. They ripped our letterbox off and maybe squeezed a (thin) arm or some device to open the door. This was the top end of Upland Road so watch out chaps (it happened last Monday night, late we think).

[Buzzard]

Sorry to hear that. You should try these people. They cut corners, but they get the job done.

[SeanMacGabhann]

ah FFS Polly - really sorry to hear that, and after a honeymoon too

Glad it was limited damage and hope ye aren't too put out - thanks for the warning too

[Andyng]

Did you have an alarm?

[Buzzard]

what's with the link?

[Polly D]

We don't have an alarm no, what do people think about alarms? Would you get out of bed in the middle of the night if you heard one, or would you assume it had gone off by mistake and regard it as an annoyance?

[giddygecko]

I am sorry to hear that Polly. Which end of Upland is considered the top end?? It seems to be becoming a bit of a hotspot, attempted muggings in Northcross Rd with the poor child escaping to Upland Road... motorbikes repeatedly pushed over & now burglaries. I say up the community spirit & I will most definitely be keeping my eyes peeled for anything untowards.

GG

[Polly D]

The end which comes out onto Lordship Lane, past the library. Yeah, the mugging in North Cross is a horrid story and I hope the poor girl isn't too traumatised by it.

I have to say, our neighbours were brilliant and sorted a lot of stuff out for us while we were away, like getting door fixed, sorting out keys, coming in and turning different lights on etc. so we do feel the community sprit is working. However, in the middle of the night, I reckon it's a different story.

Still, could have been worse and I just wanted to warn others that there could be other similar incidents; check what can be seen through your own letterbox.

[MadWorld74]

We live just down the road off Upland; Crebor. It's occuring more and more unfortuantly. Sorry to hear of your horrible return from your honeymoom.

[ChavWivaLawDegree]

I know it's a bit late, but I never go anywhere without having someone come and stay in my house.

If you can't get someone to stay, it's a good idea to ask your neighbours to keep an eye out while you are away, and make sure they have your contact details.

The rest of the time, a big dog is better than an alarm!

[redrouge]

I live top end of LL (near Upland) and our neighbours were burlgarled last Saturday night, completely ramsacked the place while they were on holiday :( Maybe it was the same guys... It's such a disgusting thing to happen.

[Michael Palaeologus]

Polly - a small silver lining hoves into view. This could be the very thing that gets you that hairy smelly dog you wanted!!

Belated congrats (on the marriage of course). I trust the honeymoon was as these things are supposed to be.

[Ko]

What a horrid thing to come home to. Thanks for the warning! The local bobbie used to do an update which would tell people if there had been a spate of burglaries in the area recently. Haven't seen that newsletter for a while though - does it still exist?

[badger]

Polly D this is awful news. Glad they didn't get too much.

Hope the hneymood was good!

[Ant]

Really to sorry to hear about this Polly D - or rather C. Hope it hasn't shaken you up too much.

[Domitianus]

"They ripped our letterbox off and maybe squeezed a (thin) arm or some device to open the door."

On a very practical point, folks (let's get something out of a sad story) - deadlocks, deadlocks, deadlocks! If I have understood Polly's description of the method of entry correctly, this would not have been possible if there had been a good deadlock that could only be opened with a key. The problem with Yale-type snib-locks is the moment anyone gets a hand to them (through door, window, letterbox - whatever) they can open them. A deadlock can only be opened from either side of the door if someone has a key (or is good at picking locks - I accept that, but burglars tend to go for the easy option). This means that, even if a burglar gets in through a window, patio etc, they still can't use your front door to make off with your larger items. We have a nice locksmith on LL so maybe folk might think of reviewing their security. And, no, I have absolutely no connection with or commercial interest in Callow but simply wanted to point the needy in a local direction.

Sad story, nonetheless, but I am sure Polly would be pleased to know that others have become safer as a result of her post.

[fractionater]

yep deadlocks are the definitely the best method here - especially if you are in a flat!

We insist on having the main front door deadlocked at all times - the yale locks are just way to easy to open via the 'slip' method or even a doctored key. If you know what you're doing you can easily slip a yale lock with a plastic coke bottle - I know I've done it myself...when locked out of my flat!

[Ganapati]

I can't tell you how many times I have heard of houses burgled in this method. There must be a gap in the market for a lockable letterbox, one you could lock at night.

[Loz]

I think that in a lot of cases, no deadlock = no insurance. It's definitely in my policy. I think it applies even if you are in the house, asleep upstairs.

[Asset]

yes, and it has to be a five-lever mortice.

[*Bob*]

No deadlock = devoid of a brain.. surely?

[Ko]

You can also get letter boxes with a very tight hinge - it snaps very hard back into place and is hard to keep open.

[Cassius]

Not being funny but I am sure I've heard of a postie suing because he hurt his hand in one of those 'snappy' letter boxes - or was I hallucinating and/or reading the Daily Mail?

[Garden]

another tip for you all....if you are going on holiday and you decide to get a taxi with your baggage - make sure you use a reputable firm - it's very obvious to the taxi driver that you will be away for a while - it only takes a word from them to a mate and ........

[Andyng]

A burglar would always go for the easiest option they would burgle a house without alarm than

one that does.Get a huge alarm box outside your front door and that in itself should be a good enough

deterrent.If my neighbours went off at night and it rand loud and long enough then of course ill see

whats happening.