Burglaries on Shawbury/Friern/Forest Hill Roads - August 30th

[Shawbury_Shortcake]

I was burgled last night and the police tell me there were similar burglaries on Friern Road and Forest Hill Road too - almost certainly the same people. They came in through an open window at the front of the upstairs flat (I'm downstairs), and then kicked my door in.

They didn't take much, they didn't make a huge mess, and all is okay (except for the poor, freaked out puppy who was home alone), but just wanted to warn people not to leave a window open even if it's on the second or third floor.

[mynamehere]

Who saw Burgled? Watch Now Please because I'd like to hear from our police how they compare what we've got going on to what's going on in Leeds.

Please do weigh in

With 675,000 burglaries reported each year and a house broken into every 47 seconds, Britain is the most burgled country in the EU.

http://www.channel4.com/programmes/burgled/4od

[polla2256]

Sorry to here about that. I live in Friern Rd and saw 3 very iffy looking people on Thursday night. They appeared to be carrying out a reccy. I know some people will say you cant judge but now someone has been burgled.

[worldwiser]

I responded to a knock at the door a few days ago and the second I opened the door, the young man simply said 'sorry' and headed off down the street. I'm absolutely certain he was planning to burgle us. Luckily there's regularly someone at home during the day here - but everyone, seriously, get a proper door, (not a waste of space PVC or pine framed one) don't leave windows open and you'll have absolutely nothing to worry about. We used to have a concrete framed and solid steel door with hook locks at our old house and it prevented at least 3 burglaries in 5 years. It looked like a totally normal door from 3 feet away.. best money we ever spent.

[NickT]

I have installed a CCTV camera covering the street side of my property, it stores video of the last 14 days of activity and cost just ?50, this includes IR lights and night vision recording. If you have a CCTV camera that covers the street you need to put up a sign warning the public, apart from that it's completely legal.

[skibunny21]

Interesting! I heard my doorbell ring but chose not to answer it. It rang again & I then heard someone looking through the letterbox

. Some 5 mins later, I , decided to open the door. I was greeted by the sight of a young black male, dressed all in black on a small black bicycle. He was trying to get in my side gate! I was so shocked, I merely asked what he wanted. He replied that he was looking for his friend Anthony. I told him he had the wrong house & he replied that it must be next door then. My neighbour was stood in his front garden, but he didn't stop to ask any questions! I reported it

to the police. Please keep your eyes open everybody! Luckily for me, there is usually someone at home. I can't forget the look of shock on the lads face when I opened the door!

[Shawbury_Shortcake]

The burglars got out through the front door of the house which didn't have a double-lock, though it does now! There weren't any ladders around in my garden or neighbouring gardens, so I don't know how they got up there to get in.

I was pretty surprised that they'd chance going through a front window on a busy road, but I guess they thought it worth the risk.

The police were brilliant (three visits in less than 24 hours), and hopefully insurance will cover everything. Windows will stay firmly closed from now on.

[Sue]

Shawbury_Shortcake Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

Windows will stay firmly closed from

> now on.

xxxxxx

You can get window locks which enable you to have the windows partly open (for air) whilst still being secure.

You'd need to check with your insurance company which ones are acceptable to them.

Hope your puppy is not too traumatised (and of course you!)

[BecsBex]

NickT, where did you get your CCTV camera? I've been considering one for a while.

[NickT]

Becsbex it was this one from Coomatec, it was ?50 when you include the cost of a 32 gb memory card. It does require mains power so needs to be fitted near a window so you can run the power cable through the window frame. It was well made and has a little IR light on during nighttime hours. Obviously it needs to be placed high on the wall out of tamper distance.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Coomatec-Vision-Recorder-Real-Time-Surveillance/dp/B00DIXG3PC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1378277381&sr=8-2&keywords=Coomatec

[BecsBex]

Thanks NickT!

[Shawbury_Shortcake]

Well, ElmGrove, it was pretty obvious how the burglars got in and the police forensics team confirmed it. I really only put this post up to warn people to be careful, I'm not after judgements on my home security, thanks.

[the-e-dealer]

We know door was kicked in but how did they get in upstairs?!!

Shawbury_Shortcake Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Well, ElmGrove, it was pretty obvious how the

> burglars got in and the police forensics team

> confirmed it. I really only put this post up to

> warn people to be careful, I'm not after

> judgements on my home security, thanks.

[Shawbury_Shortcake]

As it says in my first post, they came in through an upstairs window at the front of the house. Then they came through the upstairs flat and into the communal hallway where they kicked in the door to my flat. I hope that's clear.

[the-e-dealer]

how did they get to the upstairs window? Climbed? up some scaffolding? TIA

[bugsbgone]

Dot.