Don’t let thieves go Christmas shopping at your house

Kirsty Mcluckie on the rise in burglaries in the holiday season

Home security comes sharply into focus at this time of year. While opportunist thefts are more common in the summer months, due to garden gates, windows and doors being left open in warmer weather, as the nights get darker there are more organised burglars about – intent on getting into homes.

And in the lead up to Christmas there may well be high-value items all ready and waiting.

According to official research, the number of burglaries, thefts and robberies committed over Christmas soars. During the 2016 holiday season there were about 448 burglaries per day across the UK.

At our last house, which was in a cul de sac, neighbours suffered a break in just before Christmas the year before we moved in.

With a young family, the owners were devastated to lose their Christmas presents and it was a sobering thought that not only had they had them on display, in a conservatory and stacked up under the tree, but they had actually provided bags for handy carrying, in the form of their children’s gift sacks.

The following year, we passed their house in darkness late one evening only to spot a pair of legs disappearing in through a window.

Dissuading my husband from going to investigate, I called the police who arrived in minutes.

We were relieved to be told that the wouldbe burglar was actually the teenage daughter of the house who had apparently forgotten her keys, as she explained to the officers when they knocked on her door.

I had other suspicions – the legs spotted were definitely male – but I was kind enough not to explain to her folks that she may have not been alone in wanting to spend some time in the house while her parents were out.

Neighbours can be an asset when trying to keep your home safe while you’re away, according to seasonal security tips from D-link.

The technology provider suggests asking the people next door to take out rubbish, collect the post and keep a general eye on things if you are planning a trip.

If they are willing, you could also suggest that they park a car in your driveway to make it look like someone is home.

Another tip, pertinent to those looking to take advantage of Black Friday bargains, is to be discreet when you throw away packaging. Placing an empty television box on the curb for everyone to see can act as an advert for thieves on the lookout for high-value items.

In the internet age, D-link’s tips include not posting on social media about such gifts, before or after Christmas, and keeping details of trips away off public sites too.

For those with malicious intent, your holiday snaps or count down to a break can be equivalent to posting a sign on the front door detailing that the house is empty.

To give the impression that it isn’t, smart plugs can allow controlled light schedules in the house when you are away, either on a pattern or remotely actioned from a phone or tablet while you lie on the beach or hit the sales.

Going further, a wifi security camera can give you a live view of your home from anywhere, at anytime, from your mobile device.

Such innovations are useful for your peace of mind, although lovedup teenagers looking for alone time with their boyfriends or girlfriends while the parents are out, should be aware of the risks of discovery from such advances.