Just had someone try and break in to my gaff (details here (http://www.scoobynet.co.uk/bbs/thread.asp?threadid=274778)) and its got me thinking about alarms and stuff.

Are they worth it? What about CCTV on motion sensors? What else can I do to keep the feckers out?

Mark

Depends what you are trying to achieve, I guess.

An alarm is obviously a visible deterrent, but if you are out, I guess that most thieves know that tripping an alarm is unlikely to result in the imminent arrival of the plod, so it is unliklely to stop them, just reduce the amount of time they can risk staying in the house.

If you are in (e.g. broken into in the early hours for car keys or whatever), then they know that the alarm is bound to have woken you, so a) you will call plod, who will hopefully show up quickly and b) they have lost the element of surprise, so you could be waiting for them with your 'Tony Martin' special!

IMHO, an alarm is a worthwhile investment, but to be most effective, it must go off BEFORE the actually get in, which means window/door sensors, not just PIRs.

I would also recommend hinge bolts and deadbolts on all external doors (2 hinge bolts, 2 dead bolts per door), Decent locks on all windows (throw away the supplied screws and use the longest ones possible) and deadbolts on all internal doors that lead onto the stair-well.

Clearly, you don't lock the internal dead-bolts whilst you are out, because any thief will simply trash all the doors, as they don't care about making loads of noise in an empty house. However, if you are in, they will have to make a huge amount of noise to get to the stairs and you, and it will delay them, which means a) you will be ready, b) plod may have arrived, but most importantly, c) they may have lost their bottle and legged it.

Just my opinion, for what it's worth.

Food for thought, many thanks.

Mark

Mark,

Forgot to say, Personally, I'm not sure how useful CCTV really is. Quality is generally poor, so even if you record the signal, would you be able to make out faces etc.? Useful I guess for seeing who is at the front door without having to move from in front of the telly, but probably not much more. Could give you early warning I guess, if fitted alongside motion detectors.

This is a hot topic for me at the moment as it happens. One of my mates had his house broken into on Saturday night. Took the keys for his STI. Car has been recovered, thanks to Tracker, but home security is now high on his agenda too. He's in the process of fitting alarm deadlocks etc.

What about a fake CCTV camera - as a deterrent? I think you can pick one up in B&Q for less than £20.

Maybe. There is a balance here though, maybe it's not such a good to make your house look so well secured that you must have stuff worth nicking? Problem is, who knows what goes on in the mind of your average thieving pond-life?

If last night's duo are anything to go by they're not too bright! So, alarm systems, DIY or get a firm in? Any recommendations?

Had the house double glazed throughout earlier this year and the doors and windows are supposed to be secure. Indeed, the scrote from last night tried to force the window and failed. Ended up breaking both panes of glass to get to the handle.

Thanks
Mark

If you have the time and inclination, I would do a DIY installation. If you're into that sort of thing, you'll probably do a neater job (maybe ;)). Wireless systems are the least hassle, but they do get expensive when you want to start adding lots of extra sensors. Take a look at the Yale 3500 wireless communicating alarm (http://www.yale.co.uk). This is what I chose to install, but there are plenty of other similar systems.

[Edited by dr_ming - 11/24/2003 3:46:42 PM]

I work for a Ilson based security firm :D.All i can say is in the 14 years+ iv'e been in the alarm fitting trade i only know of about 4 or 5 customers who had attempted break ins AFTER fitting and alarm.An alarm is still a massive deterrent not just saying that cos I fit em it's a fact.:)

Dave

i8gtmf

YHM

i8gtmf, YHM

Mark

Mark haven't had any e-mail yet mate.

Dave

Let's try that again:D
Dave, YHM

I know what happened! What a f*ckwit! Apologies to anyone who got erroneous (sp?) email, erm, <cough> Huxley for example</cough>

Mark

Edited 'cos I'm an eejit:D

[Edited by markr1963 - 11/28/2003 12:28:20 AM]

:p:rolleyes: