Feeling safe and secure at home is something we take for granted. Thankfully there are simple steps you can take to help prevent your home becoming a target for burglars.

Surrey Police is urging residents to think about the potential impact of burglary on their lives. Once a burglar invades your home, they take much more than possessions, threatening your feelings of security, safety and even happiness. Burglars are astute. To understand what’s going on in their heads, and prevent them getting into yours, one rehabilitated offender explains:

“I walked around just looking at people’s houses to see if there was an easy target. I just assessed people’s homes to see if I could get in, and as a career burglar I could do this in seconds. It was only when I met two of my victims face-to-face that it began to dawn on me what I had done – I had ruined many lives.”

Don’t let them in

Lock it… Double check all windows and doors are securely looked before leaving home. Also, make sure sheds and gates are locked, and even that outside bins are not left where burglars could use them as a stepping stone.

Light it… If your working hours mean that you don’t get home until after dark, consider installing outside security lights or timed lighting within your property.

List it… Register your valuables on Immobilise. Visit the Immobilise website to find out how you can increase the chances of being reunited with your property should it be stolen.

Report any suspicious activity by calling 101 or in an emergency dial 999.