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Burglary Crime Prevention

Keep burglars out of your property

Burglars will use a variety of ways to avoid being noticed.

They don’t want to be seen or heard by a neighbour or passer-by because they will feel exposed and identifiable.

Here’s some useful advice, on helping to keep burglars out by giving them no hiding place 

Keep it visible

You’d think that it would be best to make a property less visible from the street, and to keep it hidden from prying eyes behind overgrown bushes, trees, high fences or walls. All that this serves to do is make it easier for a burglar to get close to a home unnoticed and provide somewhere to hide while carrying out a burglary or theft from the property.

 

A tall hedge in front of a house. Low hedges are advised as they do not provide cover for someone wishing to hide.

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  • Lower fences at the front around one-metre high are preferable to high fences as they allow for a clear view over the top and don’t provide cover for anyone wishing to hide.
  • At the rear and sides, taller fencing is recommended to prevent easy access.
  • Trellis, thorny plants, or a suitable anti-climb topping such as plastic spikes make it difficult for anyone climbing over a fence or gate.
  • Planting prickly or barbed shrubbery along boundaries and fence lines acts as an effective natural barrier.
  • Gravel driveways and paths will make sure you hear anyone approach.

    • Other ways to make it difficult for burglars

    Alarms, CCTV, Lighting

    For more information on creating a boundary, visit our advice on criminal damage

    Met.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/protect-home-crime/property-vandalism/

     

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    Message Sent By
    Sally Wheeler
    (Metropolitan Police, Police Community Support Officer, Chiswick Homefields)
    Neighbourhood Alert