Burglar Alarms - are they worth it?

[Pogle]

We've had a house alarm for the last 20 years.
Its serviced annually along with the security lights and smoke alarms.
We put it on every night and every time we go out, we also have sensors on the front and back door that beep when they're opened.
I dont know if its a detertent, but we've never had so much as a garden ornament swiped.

[TykeMerc]

We've had a house alarm for the last 20 years.
Its serviced annually along with the security lights and smoke alarms.
We put it on every night and every time we go out, we also have sensors on the front and back door that beep when they're opened.
I dont know if its a detertent, but we've never had so much as a garden ornament swiped.

Maybe the crocodile filled moat, sentry guns, megavolt electrified barbed wire and minefield has something to do with that?

[mudskipper]

We've got a fake box that was here when we moved in.

Been burgled once - insurance were incredulous that we could have had five laptops nicked...

[northernladuk]

Or alternatively live somewhere outside of the radius of any urban area from which these people make their thieving forays.

The only time we need to be vigilant down here is when members of the "travelling community"are in residence on a local grass verge.

I don't discount the possibility that the gypsies are being used as a convenient foil for another bunch of thieves but there is a definite upturn in crime when they are around. Contents of garden sheds, garages etc seem to be their favourite targets.

I don't think moving is the answer lol. I also don't think being out of urban areas is a solution you think as well. I bet if you look deeper in to the stats the truth will be surprising. If one house in 50 is a burglary stat in Salford where there are rows and rows then there will appear to be a lot of burgalries but in a small sleepy town of 50 houses only one a year sounds safe but is actually the same risk as Salford. I would also wager it's all smash and grabs in urban areas but posh areas will be a house clearance. Burgalry to order is more prevalent in nice areas.

IMO don't underestimate burglars. Some of them know what they are doing and good at it.

[quackhandle]

Unfortunately the in-laws got done the other week, bit of a s&g raid only money and a laptop taken but the dozy buggers couldn't remember if they'd locked the patio doors.

It's a bit sobering though, they know they got off lightly as you do hear of some vile thieves going OOT on the older generation.

qh

[Pogle]

Maybe the crocodile filled moat, sentry guns, megavolt electrified barbed wire and minefield has something to do with that?

I think its more likely the rabid attack guinea pigs patrolling the back garden that puts them off

[vetran]

I think its more likely the rabid attack guinea pigs patrolling the back garden that puts them off

that's no way to talk about the kids!

[DirtyDog]

What we have been told by police and other folks too is that all things being equal burglars would go for the house without the alarm/cctv.

The less attractive you make it for them, the more likely they will move onto someone else.

We had a smash and grab some years back - Mrs left her laptop on view in the front room. 2am, window smashed, laptop grabbed. Since then, we've had some railings added to the front wall, which means instead of a four foot drop it's now a six foot hurdle, which is a bit trickier.

Had the car broken into a number of times at the back, so we had seven foot gates fitted.

Neighbours have been done since then, but we haven't, touch wood.

[BjornMorg]

Thanks for all your feedback, interesting mix as always on here.

Any views on getting a wireless system instead of a wired one?
i.e. reliability/effectiveness/cost of each type

[Zero Liability]

Wireless ones are marginally more expensive. At least mine was. It is reliable, particularly if the property isn't very large.