ᐅ What type of burglary protection do you have? And what is the estimated cost?
Created on: 30 Oct 2016 13:14
M
Mizit
This topic might not be exactly right here since we are not building new but buying, but it also relates to planning and idea development.
We are buying a house from 1995. The front door has a multi-point lock, and the basement has a fireproof security door, which probably can’t be opened quickly when locked. That’s all.
Due to a personal incident related to burglary, I am currently somewhat more sensitive to this issue. I am often alone with the children, and the house is in a remote location, with open fields behind us. Although the area is mostly rural and, according to the owner, there have been no incidents in the village so far, I don’t want to rely on that. In short: we want to allocate part of our budget to security investments.
We will schedule an appointment with the local police to get advice.
Regarding the front door: a multi-point lock sounds good – is that enough initially?
Next to the front door there is a glass panel, double-glazed, without a window handle. This could probably be broken quickly, but because of the muntins, it is probably not possible to enter the house quickly this way. We are considering installing a glass break film on the inside. Possibly combined with an acoustic alarm if someone tries to strike the glass?
The main issue is definitely the numerous windows, especially at the back of the house. None of these are visible from the street. As mentioned, the windows are double-glazed from 1995. There are no mushroom head locks installed. We couldn’t find a clear cost estimate for retrofitting such mushroom head locks. Can you share any insights? Possibly that alone would be so expensive that it might be more worthwhile to replace the windows? However, I think that would likely exceed our budget given the number of windows…
While researching mushroom locks, we came across these EM3 locks, which cost about 60 euros each. Do you have any experience with these, and can they be a practical alternative to mushroom head locks?
Regarding alarm systems, there are all kinds available. Mechanical security should probably take priority over acoustic alarms, right? Personally, although my husband sees it differently, I don’t really believe these alarm systems are that effective. Anyone planning a professional break-in, possibly after some reconnaissance, will know in such a rural location that the police won’t arrive in two minutes and neighbors probably won’t be outside immediately either. And what good would it do us if the alarm goes off while we’re sleeping? Acoustic alarms certainly aren’t bad, but depending on the price, I question whether the cost-benefit ratio is reasonable. Probably it would need to be that various alarms are also visible in a way that hopefully has a deterrent effect? Motion detectors, cameras, or even a connection to a security service?
How have you approached this topic?
We are buying a house from 1995. The front door has a multi-point lock, and the basement has a fireproof security door, which probably can’t be opened quickly when locked. That’s all.
Due to a personal incident related to burglary, I am currently somewhat more sensitive to this issue. I am often alone with the children, and the house is in a remote location, with open fields behind us. Although the area is mostly rural and, according to the owner, there have been no incidents in the village so far, I don’t want to rely on that. In short: we want to allocate part of our budget to security investments.
We will schedule an appointment with the local police to get advice.
Regarding the front door: a multi-point lock sounds good – is that enough initially?
Next to the front door there is a glass panel, double-glazed, without a window handle. This could probably be broken quickly, but because of the muntins, it is probably not possible to enter the house quickly this way. We are considering installing a glass break film on the inside. Possibly combined with an acoustic alarm if someone tries to strike the glass?
The main issue is definitely the numerous windows, especially at the back of the house. None of these are visible from the street. As mentioned, the windows are double-glazed from 1995. There are no mushroom head locks installed. We couldn’t find a clear cost estimate for retrofitting such mushroom head locks. Can you share any insights? Possibly that alone would be so expensive that it might be more worthwhile to replace the windows? However, I think that would likely exceed our budget given the number of windows…
While researching mushroom locks, we came across these EM3 locks, which cost about 60 euros each. Do you have any experience with these, and can they be a practical alternative to mushroom head locks?
Regarding alarm systems, there are all kinds available. Mechanical security should probably take priority over acoustic alarms, right? Personally, although my husband sees it differently, I don’t really believe these alarm systems are that effective. Anyone planning a professional break-in, possibly after some reconnaissance, will know in such a rural location that the police won’t arrive in two minutes and neighbors probably won’t be outside immediately either. And what good would it do us if the alarm goes off while we’re sleeping? Acoustic alarms certainly aren’t bad, but depending on the price, I question whether the cost-benefit ratio is reasonable. Probably it would need to be that various alarms are also visible in a way that hopefully has a deterrent effect? Motion detectors, cameras, or even a connection to a security service?
How have you approached this topic?
Hello @Mizit
This is the first important step. So, my question "How did you approach this topic?" is already answered.
Do I understand correctly – you are going to the criminal investigations department?
In our case, they came directly to our home (we only had the plans during the new build, but he mentioned that he always visits the “customer” and inspects the site on location). The officer walks through your house and property with you and points out potential risk areas and options. Then you can gather quotes and decide what you want to implement and what not.
I saw something interesting about this on MDR a few months ago (I found it again in an earlier post of mine on the same topic):
Search on Google for:
“MDR Einfach genial inventions security system photo trap”
Look for the episode from June 14, 2016, and watch the segment titled “Security System.”
This idea doesn’t prevent break-ins, but in my opinion, it can be crucial for limiting damage and identifying perpetrators.
Of course, prevention is better than dealing with the consequences.
Mizit schrieb:
We will schedule an appointment with the criminal investigations department to get advice there as well.
This is the first important step. So, my question "How did you approach this topic?" is already answered.
Do I understand correctly – you are going to the criminal investigations department?
In our case, they came directly to our home (we only had the plans during the new build, but he mentioned that he always visits the “customer” and inspects the site on location). The officer walks through your house and property with you and points out potential risk areas and options. Then you can gather quotes and decide what you want to implement and what not.
Painkiller schrieb:
- An alarm system is hardly helpful because it basically only alerts you that someone is in your house. By the time you have alerted help or it arrives, the intruder is usually already gone. Neighbors often ignore alarms because they assume it’s probably a false alarm.
I saw something interesting about this on MDR a few months ago (I found it again in an earlier post of mine on the same topic):
Search on Google for:
“MDR Einfach genial inventions security system photo trap”
Look for the episode from June 14, 2016, and watch the segment titled “Security System.”
This idea doesn’t prevent break-ins, but in my opinion, it can be crucial for limiting damage and identifying perpetrators.
Of course, prevention is better than dealing with the consequences.
Kaspatoo schrieb:
Hello,
in our new build, all windows will have RC2N (previously called WK2) door protection.
The price was stated as a maximum of €75 (about $80).WK2 is equivalent to RC2, where laminated safety glass is bonded into the frame. RC2N only matches in terms of profile/locking/handle but uses standard glazing.
For security, we are doing the following: RC2, meaning mushroom head locks, lockable handles with drill protection, laminated safety glass, window contact sensors to enable an alarm system, front door with 5-point locking and 3-point hinge security, and no basement light wells.
I also visited the police, although not our local department. I was allowed to try prying open a standard window and saw cross-sections of various security features. However, I was already well informed from online research, so the visit did not provide many new insights.
P
Painkiller31 Oct 2016 12:08f-pNo schrieb:
Hello @Mizit
A few months ago, I saw something interesting about this on MDR (I found it again in an earlier post of mine on the same topic):
Try searching on Google with the following keywords:
"MDR Einfach genial inventions security system trail camera"
Then go to June 14, 2016, and watch the segment "Security System."
In my opinion, this idea doesn't prevent burglaries but can significantly help limit damage and assist in identifying the perpetrators.
Of course, prevention is better than dealing with the consequences.However, according to the guy who gave our lecture, it’s pointless.
A photo of the burglar hardly helps in most cases, as less than 20% of all burglaries are solved, and an even smaller portion of stolen goods is recovered. Sounds from a speaker only confuse temporarily and might scare off opportunistic thieves, but the gangs moving from place to place stay much calmer.
Also, things like tablets, smartphones, and TVs are now uninteresting. They bring too little value on the black market, and the effort to resell them is too high. Cash and jewelry are still the preferred targets...
Hello Painkiller
The less than 20% figure is more of a manipulated version. Here in North Rhine-Westphalia, as soon as a suspect is identified, the burglary is recorded as solved in the statistics, regardless of whether they are later convicted or not. Additionally, the suspect is often attributed several similar burglaries, all declared solved. It's just the way statistics work.
@Mizit: The police advisory service was my first point of contact, and I was very well taken care of there. My advisor was a professional with a lot of patience. He went through all the weak points with me and suggested different options. Of course, with an existing property, you have to make compromises, but a lot can still be done.
Windows are the primary point of attack (this naturally includes patio doors). Mushroom locks are an absolute must.
Another focus should be the often neglected roof. You can get in quickly there—lifting a roof tile and giving a strong kick, and you’re inside.
When I was home during a break-in, the perpetrators rang the doorbell insistently. They wanted to check if anyone was home and probably planned to enter through the back patio. So, having a camera above the front door that records video when it detects motion is not a bad idea. By the way, the patio is a good spot for one as well.
Steven
The less than 20% figure is more of a manipulated version. Here in North Rhine-Westphalia, as soon as a suspect is identified, the burglary is recorded as solved in the statistics, regardless of whether they are later convicted or not. Additionally, the suspect is often attributed several similar burglaries, all declared solved. It's just the way statistics work.
@Mizit: The police advisory service was my first point of contact, and I was very well taken care of there. My advisor was a professional with a lot of patience. He went through all the weak points with me and suggested different options. Of course, with an existing property, you have to make compromises, but a lot can still be done.
Windows are the primary point of attack (this naturally includes patio doors). Mushroom locks are an absolute must.
Another focus should be the often neglected roof. You can get in quickly there—lifting a roof tile and giving a strong kick, and you’re inside.
When I was home during a break-in, the perpetrators rang the doorbell insistently. They wanted to check if anyone was home and probably planned to enter through the back patio. So, having a camera above the front door that records video when it detects motion is not a bad idea. By the way, the patio is a good spot for one as well.
Steven
T
Traumfaenger31 Oct 2016 13:47Painkiller schrieb:
- An alarm system hardly helps because it essentially only alerts you that someone is in your house. By the time you have gotten help or it arrives, the intruder is usually gone again. I didn’t mean a toy system, but one that alerts you as soon as someone STARTS tampering with a WK2/3 window and hopefully still takes a few minutes before getting inside. And a security service with enough vehicles nearby, not coming from the other side of town. It’s certainly not the only perfect solution, but at least someone shows up here........ when there are no neighbors around.
The screwdriver as a standard tool is probably correct, at least for occasional burglars. Whether organized gangs proceed this way is something the criminal investigation department can answer.
Painkiller schrieb:
According to the guy who gave our presentation, it’s pointless.
A picture of the burglar usually doesn’t help much because less than 20% of all burglaries are solved, and an even smaller portion of stolen goods is recovered. Sounds from a speaker only cause brief confusion and might scare off occasional thieves, but the gangs that move from place to place stay much calmer.
Items like tablets, phones, and TVs are no longer interesting. They bring too little on the black market, and the effort to resell them is too high. Cash and jewelry are still popular.Hmm – you might be right about the professional burglars. Luckily, I haven’t been in that unfortunate situation myself.
However, I think the situation is different for opportunistic burglars or petty criminals. Not long ago, I saw a report stating that occasional thieves are usually satisfied with around 30 euros (about 33 USD). If they get disturbed, I can imagine they grab the nearest item (a tablet) and run.
In that case, a photo would be a helpful identification measure—especially since tracking via GPS would be possible (if the tablet has an active SIM card).
@Steven
Regarding the 20%:
@Painkiller referred to solved cases, not convictions.
Apart from that, I believe the police here are capable enough to link multiple burglaries to one caught burglar (using fingerprints, photos, modus operandi, etc.). So the statistics are not necessarily “improved” artificially but represent reality accurately.
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