Burglary victims often wonder why the burglar picked on their house. To find out you need to consider. "How does a burglar's mind work?"

Burglary, on the whole, is an opportunist crime. A burglar will select their target because it offers them the easiest opportunity to carry out their crime undetected and with the fewest number of obstacles in their way. A building that presents itself as unoccupied and insecure is far more likely to be targeted than one, which is properly secured.

• Side gates open.
• Accessible windows open.
• Garden tools available to force entry.
• Untrimmed hedges or high fences preventing natural surveillance.

Each of these makes access to the building far simpler and is an indication to the prospective burglar that it's worth a second look.

The question is, are the occupants in?

• Milk bottles or parcels on the doorstep.
• Newspapers and mail in the letter box.
• Unlit houses after dark.
• All windows shut in very hot weather.

These are signs telling the burglar that they are unlikely to be disturbed in the course of their work. Naturally, circumstances may arise when such situations may be unavoidable. If we can take measures that tell the burglar that this building is too difficult or too risky a target, they will hopefully move on.

Are you leaving a thief the key to your house?
Never leave a spare key concealed anywhere near the front door - burglars know all the hiding places.

Prevent letterbox burglaries by storing keys away from the front door.

Do not label your house keys in case you lose them and they fall into the wrong hands.

Remember - Remove the Opportunity and Prevent the Burglary

MORE ABOUT YOUR SPECIALIST OFFICERS

PC2411 Lisa Wells pages at Surrey Police, for Brockham and Betchworth

http://www.surrey.police.uk/borough_nso.asp?nsoid=2411

PC2411 Dom Loraine pages at Surrey Police, for Dorking South

http://www.surrey.police.uk/borough_nso.asp?nsoid=2303

PC3135 Martyn Savage pages at Surrey Police, for Rural Affairs

http://www.surrey.police.uk/borough_nso.asp?nsoid=3135

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