Crime and victims
Secure your home
Burglary is a crime of opportunity - don't give burglars a chance. Follow our advice to make your home safer.
Keep your home safe
To help you keep your home safe, we have put together a useful pack of information about securing your property. You can order your home pack by calling 0800 456 1213 and quoting 'burglary pack'. Those who order the pack will also receive a discount voucher for home security supplies at a major DIY retailer. Alternatively, you can download many documents from the pack below:
- Keep it safe. Keep it hidden. Keep it locked - advice booklet
- a guide to home security (new window)
- a self assessment checklist
- how to beat the bogus caller
- Neighbourhood Watch leaflet
- guidance for private sector tenants
- ‘Before you go out’ checklist
- The Policing Pledge (new window)
How safe is your home?
Want to find out how secure your property is? Try our handy, three-minute online scorecard to find out how your home stacks up.
Did you know?
- 35% of all burglaries are crimes of opportunity, where the burglar lets themselves in through unlocked doors or windows
- You are ten times more likely to be burgled if you don’t have basic security - even something as simple as putting strong locks on your doors and windows will keep your house much safer
- Burglary has fallen by nearly 60% since 1995, but criminals are opportunists who will take advantage of any chance to steal from you, so you should remain aware
We're working hard to prevent burglaries from happening in the first place - but we need your help. If you make your property more secure, it's a lot harder for criminals to break in, and it's easier for police to catch them.
Keep it safe
Our ‘Keep it Safe’ campaign is designed to spread the word about home security, and to encourage everyone to do all they can to protect their property from criminals.
Download our Keep it Safe leaflet.
Keep your door closed
One of the most intrusive and dangerous forms of burglary happens when somebody poses as a legitimate worker, for example from a utility company, and tricks their way into homes. This is a rare but intimidating method, and we want you to know more about it so that you can protect yourself against it.
Find out more about how to deal with bogus callers.
Our guide to home security
If you want more details about home security, including information from police and home safety experts, download our 10-page brochure packed full of useful information. It can help you burglar-proof your home, garage, garden and shed.
While it might involve a bit of work, it’s worth the effort to make your home safer.
Download our guide to home security (new window).
Where to get help if you are burgled
If the worst happens, and your house is broken into, your first step should be to contact the police. However, once the police have left, you might need more help picking up the pieces.
This information for crime victims might help.
Learn more and do more to stay safe
There’s plenty of good advice available for those looking for more information about ways to prevent burglaries, and the most effective safety changes you can make.
- The Metropolitan Police website has very detailed information on fitting door and window locks for maximum safety (new window).
- The Merseyside Police have a very informative interactive programme on their website (new window) that tells you in detail things you can do to protect your home. (Note: it's a 'Flash' device that won't work on older computers.)
- Find more advice about how you can look out for yourself – and your neighbours – on the Neighbourhood Watch website (new window).
Top 10 tips
If you want to be certain your house is as safe as you can make it, here are 10 tips you should follow.
- Fit strong locks to external doors and windows, and make sure they are locked at all times
- Always remove all keys from inside locks, and keep them out of sight and in a safe place
- Fit sturdy deadlocks (British Standard BS3621) to all doors
- Make sure your doors and frames are strong and in good condition - wood doors should be at least 44mm thick
- Mark your property - having it marked helps police verify it's been stolen
- Fit a door chain or bar and door viewer (spy-hole), and use them.
- Never leave a spare key in a convenient hiding place such as under the doormat, in a flowerpot or behind a loose brick - thieves know to look there first
- When you are out in the evening, leave your lights on and shut the curtains
- Install outside security lighting; if other people can see your property a burglar may think twice
- Keep your tools and ladders securely locked up – a burglar could use them to get into your house
