How burglar friendly is your home?

Most of us have home security measures in place, but have you ever wondered which ones actually prevent burglars targeting a property?

To find out the best home security measures, we spoke to the people at Unlock – a charity that supports people with criminal convictions.

They put us in touch with 25 former burglars in the UK, who told us which home security measures really work. Here’s what they rated as the most effective ways to deter burglars.

Movement-activated security lights

Movement-activated lighting is the most effective tool in home security, according to 26% of burglars. A light coming on will attract attention and could even spotlight what they’re up to.

CCTV cameras

Knowing they’re on camera is another good deterrent, with 22% of burglars saying a CCTV camera would put them off. As well as deterring burglars, if your home is targeted, the images you capture on your CCTV could help police investigations.

Dog barking

Burglars don’t want the added inconvenience of dealing with a guard dog and 15% say it would deter them from breaking into a property. It's definitely the bark that puts them off, as a ‘beware of the dog’ sign was regarded as completely ineffective.

Burglar alarm

Burglar alarms can be a good home security measure, but just 11% of burglars see them as the most effective deterrent. For an alarm to really work as a deterrent it needs to be monitored, with burglars saying they’d often seen alarms being ignored or response times too slow to be effective.

Common home security mistakes

Investing in home security measures like movement-activated security lights and CCTV may help keep the thieves at bay, but there's also plenty of mistakes being made on the crime prevention front.

Post sticking out of the letterbox and milk bottles stacking up on the doorstep are giveaways that no one’s home. Similarly, home security measures such as shutting the curtains before you go away, keeping the lights on, or even setting them to go on and off at the same times each day are unlikely to trick a burglar into thinking someone’s in.

Home security tips

As well as using the advice above, there are plenty of other things you can do to outsmart the thieves and keep your home safe. Our articles on how to deter burglars and our guide to summer home safety are great places to start.

The Metropolitan Police also has a handy guide on keeping your home safe and Neighbourhood Watch has put together a burglary prevention checklist.

Home security measures can make your home much less attractive to burglars, keeping them out and your valuables safe.

Co-op Home Insurance can help you protect what you value too. Visit our website home insurance page to find out more and get a quote.