Like the rest of us (and echoing the sentiments of the Boomtown Rats), burglars don’t like Mondays. Whilst recruitment website Reed might get unrealistically excited about the prospect of the start of the working week it seems burglars tend to favour the latter part of the week to go about their (far more nefarious) business.
That’s according to the findings of research carried out by one of the UK’s leading home insurance providers, Privilege.
Scrutinising claims submitted over the course of the past couple of years, Privilege have noticed that Friday seems to be the day (or rather, night) most favoured by the criminally intent when it comes to breaking into homes.
Comparing which days of the week thieves preferred to undertake their criminally advantageous ways, the insurer concluded that Friday came out on top (followed by Saturday and – perhaps more randomly – Wednesday) when it came to domestic break-ins.
These eye-opening revelations as to burglar’s routine comings and goings certainly cast new light on those who typically operate under the cover of darkness.
Whilst we’ve long known that thieves tend to strike more often during the winter months (when daylight is at a premium), it’s fair to say that until now we haven’t had that much of an idea as to what day’s they usually opt for.
Announcing their findings, Privilege’s Head of Home Insurance Dan Simson said; “There are simple tactics people can employ, including putting lights on timers and keeping valuables out of sight.”
He also suggested that people only let their close family, friends and work colleagues know they’re planning on being away for a while before they jet off on holiday; as opposed to telling all and sundry courtesy of status updates on various social media platforms. As not all your filters will prevent people snooping and ergo knowing your business.
Essentially don’t let the world and his wife know your house is going to be empty.
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In terms of other safeguards we can all adopt to ensure that our properties are as secure as they can be if we’re going to be away from our homes whether overnight or for a few days or more, and the Metro disclosed the following tips which are ever-useful to adhere to;
- ENSURE that all doors and windows are shut and locked before leaving the house
- DON’T brag on Facebook/Twitter/Instagram about an impending holiday
- SET the alarm system every time you leave the house (and INSTALL one if you don’t already have one)
- MAINTAIN boundaries. Meaning keep rear-facing property boundaries high, while front-facing ones should be low
- MAKE SURE that ladders aren’t in view or get-at-able to would-be thieves wanting to access your property
- DON’T leave house keys beneath plant pots or doormats. Instead entrust them to a close friend of family member who resides in the locality
- NEVER leave your valuables insight from windows, including TVs
- INSTALL low-level lighting (known as ‘dusk till dawn’ lighting) so as to increase visibility and deter burglars
- INVEST in a light timer switch/system which varies the time lights come on and go off to make it appear as though someone is living there at the time
- MARK all valuables with ultraviolet pens and register with the Police
- ENSURE that garages/shed doors are securely shut and locked, affording them the same degree of importance as front and rear entrances to the house
- BUY a safe in which to securely house valuables in your absence and fix it to a solid surface and out of sight
- PROTECT your property with a locked gate.
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