Burglars on the job
For his book ‘Burglars on the Job', criminology professor, Richard Wright, interviewed active burglars.
The result was some candid revelations about their ‘job' and their ‘targets'.
• Burglars usually know the occupants.
• Offenders choose targets over time, by watching a dwelling to learn the occupant's routine.
• The appearance of the residence and the vehicles give clues to the valuables inside. The toys in the yard give a clue to the expensive electronic games lying around inside.
• Burglars generally prefer a point of entry hidden from the street.
• Tricks to create the illusion that someone is home are ineffective: radios or televisions blaring do not deter a break-in.
• Many burglars approach a residence in the guise of being workmen (masquerading as service technicians or delivery men is common), or to ask for directions.
• They check occupancy by ringing door bells, knocking on doors, or calling on the telephone (name and address details can be found in the letterbox).
• Burglars will break a window to get in. If your neighbour hears a noise, he'll stop what he is doing and wait to hear it again. If he doesn't hear it again, he'll go back to what he was doing. It's human nature.
• The master bedroom is usually the first place hit, burglars know they will often find expensive and easy to carry valuables in the master bedroom.
• The kitchen is usually next; burglars are aware that many people keep cash stuffed in the freezer or jewelry in a jar in the fridge.
• Next are the bathroom and the medicine cabinet, mostly in search of drugs and cash.
Your best protection as always - know your enemy, be vigilant, bolt up, lock down and insure for full replacement value.
