I can't believe it we were burgled yesterday. We arrived home to find the gate wide open my first thought was about the dogs but luckily they were safe they were probably barking so the burglars didn't go through the safety gate into the kitchen. All my jewellery was stolen including my engagement ring we've just celebrated our 30 year anniversary.  No big stuff was taken about 50 dvd's have gone my sons laptop  and my jewellery. The police I must say have been brilliant they've got a quite a few prints they were with us for about three hours. It feels awful to know that someone has been through your things there were even traces of cocaine in our bedroom. I know it could have been so much worse though. I remember someone on CD's discussing some kind of razor wire strips that you put on top of fencing can anyone remember? I've done a search on the internet but can't find anything. I would be grateful for any help. Cheers Ange.

I think you need to discuss your plans with the crime prevention officer.  I'm fairly certain this is not permitted.  There was an interesting article recently on Gardeners World where a guest policeman was discussing inoccuous alternatives such as prickly planting and the use of loose trellicing that a burgler would steer clear of but I can't find it on their website just now.  There is lots of information on here though.

I'm so sorry to hear you've been burgled. It's a horrible thing to happen and, until it's happened to you, it's impossible to understand how disturbing the feelings of violation are.

I'm pretty certain that it's illegal to put broken glass or razor wire or barbed wire etc on top of fences as a burglar deterrent. As Isabel says, please discuss your options with a crime prevention officer so that you don't inadvertently commit an offence yourself.

Agree with Isabel here ,I think its against the law to put up such a thing as is putting broken glass in cement on the tops of your walls too like they used to years ago....

Prickly plants and trellice is a good idea and apparently if you put up blinds and keep ornaments on your window sills it puts burglers off...too much to cause noise on entrance to the house.

Personally Id love to be able to get away with the broken glass in cement...if someone is going to attempt to burgle me and they cut themselves or worse......tough int it ,shouldnt be out burgling in the first place.

Sorry to hear about your burglary, im not 100% sure so check it out first again like other post have said, but our neighbour had a break in not so long ago they came over the garden fence, they have now put carpet grips on there fence, they had been putting glass in and of course were told they could be arrested, so they put the grips in but (sorry) i can't remember if the police said this was ok.

Diane

Sorry you have been burgaled :( Miney for drugs :( :(
It is illegal to put razor wire etc on top of the faences and gates,
But here is a legal version :)
http://www.decking-fencing-accessories.co.uk/prikka-strip-bird-ban-c-37.html
HTH
Lea :) :)

don't forget - anti burglar paint as well ;)  they get covered in the stuff so makes them easy to spot  ;) 

Oh no, how awfull.
We were burgled years ago, it's a horrible feeling knowing that some low-life scum has the damn cheek to go rumaging through your home and it leaves you feeling very vunerable, violated and exposed :(
I hope the police can catch them, it's great that they found prints, when we were burgled they even went through the cleaning cuboard to use our cloths to wipe all thier prints away.
I'm so sorry for you and glad your dogs are OK.

There was an interesting article recently on Gardeners World where a guest policeman was discussing inoccuous alternatives such as prickly planting and the use of loose trellicing that a burgler would steer clear of but I can't find it on their website just now.

Matts dad is the head of the neighbourhood watch and he installed loose trellice round our garden and it would deter me!
Its so wobbly you would fall right into it or over it and get plenty of splinters here there and everywhere so its a really good deterrant for burglars and cats (If you ahve dogs) :)

Im so sorry to hear you were burgled, it must be devastating :(
Hope their found and sorted soon x

So sorry to hear this has happened to you Ange :-(
I spoke to a crime prevention officer a while back who told me that noisy gravel and automatic trespass lights are enough to put most burglars off.
I hope they catch the low-life scum who broke into your home.
Thinking of you x

I have put carpet gripper round the inside edge of the fencing at my back gate.  It is not visible from the street side but anyone daft enough to try to climb over the fence will get shredded hands. I have also put a sign up that says warning, security fencing in operation so the warning is there for people but tbh they wouldn't know what it was until their hands were cut - leaving dna for the police to catch them.  It is quite probably illegal but I have put a large sign up too.

>I have also put a sign up that says warning, security fencing in operation so the warning is there for people but tbh they wouldn't know what it was until their hands were cut - leaving dna for the police to catch them.  It is quite probably illegal but I have put a large sign up too.

The link I have put is for a LEGAL version of this!!!!
Means you wont be prosecuted yourself!!!!!!!!
Lea :) :)

> It is not visible from the street side but anyone daft enough to try to climb over the fence will get shredded hands.

I feel really uneasy about this thread. I value my privacy, and would not want anyone coming into my garden without an invitation but I also worry about kids having their hands torn simply by being kids. How often do you see kids (teenage boys usually) walking along the pavement, then for apparently no reason they leap up and try and grab a tree branch? Driving around in the evening/through the night I often see youngsters jumping up and grabbing the tops of fences/walls - apparently for no reason other than they can. Then of course there is the kid that has hit their ball into your garden, we all know they should come to the door to ask - but some may try to climb over to fetch it back - do they really deserve to have their hands shredded?

I really like the anti-climb paint, sticky paint that never dries. It's a deterrent, it's annoying for those who ignore the signs and get covered in it but it doesn't do any actual harm.

Thanks everyone for your kind thoughts. We have got noisy gravel and noisy dogs and security lighting but this happened between 11 am and 3.30 pm and we live on a busy road.  My husband has put gripper rod all along the top of the gate which is the only place that burglars  could have entered. We also  have a 'Beware of the dog' sign on the gate but this made no difference. Thank you Lea for the web link that really is something we must think about to stop the 'pigeons'!

Can i ask how they actually got in? Like smash a window, force a lock, use an instrument to force a window or door?

Adding a security alarm is good, thats connected to the windows and doors. Also sensor ones for the rooms which the dogs are not shut into while you are out.

What a horrible experience for you :-(

Two friends of mine have had their houses broken into in the last year or so...on both occasions the thieves were after the car keys and stole all their cars (two from each household). 

If burglars are intent on getting into your house, then they will.  My friend's FIL's house was burgled while they were away on holiday.  It was a real professional job & the burglars made their getaway in friend's MIL's car having found the keys in the house.  The ironic thing is, friend's FIL owns a security company and his house is fitted to the rafters with every state of the art security gadget known to man.  Most of the burglars movements were caught on CCTV but they knew what they were doing and had hidden their faces sufficiently for there to be no clear shots of them for ID purposes. 

Just to remind anyone going down the anti climb paint route that a notice is essential with this too, otherwise you could be prosecuted for damaging their clothes with the paint!

>If burglars are intent on getting into your house, then they will.

Some years ago my mother was burgled when she was at church on a Sunday morning. We'd never realised how easy it is to disable a burglar alarm (I shan't say how on here, for obvious reasons!).

Firstly I am so sorry to hear of this and like previously stated probably money for drugs, this very subject was being discussed on the Jon Gaunt show on Talksport this week and it seems that if you do put any kind of deterent on top of a fence you must have an unlocked gate so that anyone trying to gain unlawful entry onto your property can let themselves out if the get hurt, kinda defeats the object a little

I know this occurred during the day but having very well hidden CCTV cameras help. You can pick them up cheap but would need to set it up to record all the time on your computer.
Depending on the area if you don't already have a neighbourhood watch set up this is always a good idea.
Contact your neighbours about doing this.

Another thing which helps is very strong doors and windows and having locks on the windows. Reinforced doors help as they are very hard for anyone to kick in.

Also if they haven't already come round ask for your Crime Prevention Officer to have a look at your home and they will always come up with suggestions.

Those burglars who break in to steal items to sell for drugs and the like won't go for high security homes. They go for the easy targets. We see it all the time.

tigger2, the gate it is on is set off the road and leads to the back garden where the patio doors etc are.  It is extremely unlikely that anyone would get a ball across there but it is the most obvious way for someone to break in.  there is a large sign up to inform people but due the frequent visitors to our local smack dealer who like to rob houses close to their source of smack, the usual deterrants are not sufficient.  I have an alarm, a dog, gravel, security lighting, hasp locks on sheds, windows locked, venetian blinds etc but even this is not a big enough deterrant for someone needing to feed a habit.

Hello Sue. The burglar/burglars climbed a 7 ft strong gate and forced a UPVC window which was locked! You can see a mark left on the window from some kind of tool, the police said that it was a professional job but said it was  unusual to occur during the day and was a quick in out. We had to go out this morning as my 2 children were running the Stroud half marathon but I really didn't want to leave the house. We took the dogs as Sam has been a bit on edge since and I didn't want to leave them. I'm so angry now you'd think that your house is safe. An engraved gold  bangle that my parents gave me for my 18th many years ago is gone and I'll never see that again plus all that I've accumulated over the years. What is this world coming to, I keep looking at people suspiciously thinking it was them.

Ange, i do hope that they can get something from the prints and any DNA they may of taken for forensics.

I hope this fits in with the MO of someone they know as this can help catch the guy as they can start following him around.
Sounds like they really did know what they were doing, doesn't sound like it was an easy job for them to get in, not for your general 'drug taker'.
Do you have any photos of any of the jewellery which was stolen. Copies of these to the Police and also if you have the time going round second hand shops and the like to see if anyone has taken them in.
You never know they may of slipped up and gone into a place where they have sold something of yours which has CCTV.
We have caught people from doing these checks.
Same goes for the serial number on the laptop.

Hi Sue , The police told us to keep a look out in cash converters in town so I will certainly go down tomorrow,my daughter says she will go in everyday. Unfortunately I haven't got any close up photos of my jewellery so I don't know what will happen with the insurance I'll certainly take photos in future.The shame of it is the burglars will probably get next to nothing for our things.  I can't give the police enough praise, you do hear in they media bad things but our experience has been brilliant. You never know about Tom's laptop we've all the details and serial number so you never know. My daughter has not been sleeping very well as she's worried that they'll come back she is nervous at the best of times and I don't know what to tell her. The police did say it was unlikely that they'd try again, she's not convinced.
                                  

The chances of a property being burgled again is slim. Also if you're in the house then the chances are even more slim.
Do you have any photos of you wearing any of the jewellery i find this in itself can be of some use. Some pieces are  quite distinctive so may stand out to people who deal in jewellery and second hand goods.
With your daughter i suppose its reassurance as best you can. Maybe she would fell a little better if she spoke to an officer or PCSO about it if she has concerns??

I got burgled a few years ago and like you all my jewellry, dvd, stereo ect.. bas---ds We had locks on all doors and windows they just smashed through the lot.

Razor wire is illegal at certain heights it should be installed over 2 meters only and any injuries and you would be liable! So is broken glass cause we are all pc now.

Not a lot of help really if they want to get in they will I'm afraid. Hope you do not feel too bad about it it really upset me.

> Personally Id love to be able to get away with the broken glass in cement...if someone is going to attempt to burgle me and they cut themselves or worse......tough int it ,shouldnt be out burgling in the first place.

Exactly!! Agree totally, why shouldnt it be aloud, i mean no normal person is going to climb up a wall are they! So no normal person would get hurt by it, and a bird sitting on it etc would be too light to move the sand anyway i would of thought... so its a good idea!! The law is such an ass isnt it!!!

Sorry to hear you got burgled tho, i hope they catch them, they are so hard faced! And yes try cash converters or any places similar to that nearby where they would flog your items.

> i mean no normal person is going to climb up a wall are they

unfortunately that's just not true. Kids are often seen climbing on the wall of the house opposite me, and sitting up there - it's about 7 feet high but they use the phone box to get up. They shouldn't be doing it but do they deserve to be cut to ribbons for it - they're not actually doing any harm up there.

It could also be a police officer in pursuit of a criminal.
I'm all for deterents.  You can use alarms, noisy dogs even plastic "spikes" but the dishing out of punishment is for a court and I doubt any court this side of the middle ages would consider lacerations to be an appropriate punishment for any crime.

> but the dishing out of punishment is for a court and I doubt any court this side of the middle ages would consider lacerations to be an appropriate punishment for any crime.

Which imho is why this coountry is in the state its in, the courts are way way way to soft.....what punishment do criminals actually get?...Let off with a caution  if they are underage and told to be a "good boy and dont do it again",Comunity service which loads of them dont turn up for.
Locked up for however many months in  prison in a lovely cell with TV ,dvd player,Gymnasiums, football pitches etc which quite a few people Ive come across that have been inside say is better than their own home and theyd rather be there than home where they may have to be forced to work for a living.
then to top it all they are let out early for good behaviour.

IF there was decent deterant....like Prison being a cell with a pot to pee in and a matress on the floor to sleep on and no recreational activites,with hard work thrown in for good measure ,do you really think ,most folk would want to go back there?I doubt it,especially if they were made to serve their full sentance.

its because the law in this country is so soft that some people are forced to take the law into their own hands and why should I or anyone else who has lived a decent life and worked hard for a living and paid their way in society not be able to protect our things  in our own way if we have no decent justice system to back us up with.

I agree glass on wall tops is harsh and so is razor wire etc.....but if it stops a burgler from breaking and entering my property and he ends up with lacerated hands well boo hoo for him, might make him think before he tried it again.

> and why should I or anyone else who has lived a decent life and worked hard for a living and paid their way in society not be able to protect our things  in our own way if we have no decent justice system to back us up with.
>

Because we live in a civilised country and we do have a decent justice system.

> quite a few people Ive come across that have been inside say is better than their own home and theyd rather be there than home where they may have to be forced to work for a living.

If they really meant that rather than just bravado how were they able to communicate this to you as presumably they would ensure that they were never outside the prison gates.  A simple enough matter to arrange I would imagine. :-)

I've spoken to quite a few who have been inside. Some of the prisons are easier than others. Many get institutionalised and find it easier to be inside rather than out. They continue to commit crime to get back inside again.
One of the big problems is drugs and alcohol which contribute for many crimes. Thefts off all kinds to feed a drug habit. Many of the violent crimes are alcohol related.
Crime would still occur if you took these 2 components out of the equation but i feel that society would be more at ease and defo less crime would be committed.

Gun crimes are a little different, don't see many round here, seems to currently be a problem in big inner city areas.

> Many get institutionalised and find it easier to be inside rather than out.

That's a whole lot different to the notion that they are there because it is a cushy option.

I haven't heard anyone say its easier because of those things, but they find being on the inside easier than dealing with real life outside.

But we also have to look at the picture. They are told what to do and when to do it. They can't pop outside when they feel like it or walk to the shop, see family when they choose.
I often think i can't afford Sky either, but thats my choice..
At the end of the day i have my freedom they don't.

With having things in the prison's it actually helps in curbing the boredom and gives them something to do. We don't need riots in prisons, the guards here don't carry guns.

American prisons are different, but they shackle man prisoners up and the like when they do work outside in the community. This would not wash with the Humans Right Act which is in place in most of Europe.
There are pros and cons to dealing with prisoners in each way.

I personally think they need to look at building more prisons so these people who commit crime can actually get a decent sentence rather than a fine or community service.

> That's a whole lot different to the notion that they are there because it is a cushy option.

Wether bravado or not.....quite a few of the lads whose hair I have cut once they are out re offend because they say they like prison as it is a "cushy" place.

Quite a lot of them are out for a few weeks then straight back in again,and they have joked with me about how easy it is doing time....
I used to do one lads hair when he was out of prison and i knew if i didnt see him for a bit he would be inside....I was always right

I think if people liked prison they would be queuing at the doors and yet they do every thing they can to evade it even when they reoffend.  We certainly don't hear of lad regularly handing themselves in on a Monday morning do we :-)
Whatever little luxuries they appear to have they have no freedom, no choices and they are seperated from their family and friends.

>Whatever little luxuries they appear to have they have no freedom, no choices and they are seperated from their family and friends

Exactly! I think a person can only judge what prison is like once they've served time there themselves!Prisoners can have all the little luxuries available,but at the end of the day they are still in prison and at the mercy of a lock and key.There is absolutely NO freedom in Prison,which is the whole point.If they need something they have to put in a request for EVERYTHING,which often takes day,weeks or even months.
The only people who say prison life is too easy are the ones who have never been there...

>> quite a few people Ive come across that have been inside say is better than their own home and theyd rather be there than home where they may have to be forced to work for a living.

I agree,with this just being bignoting Bravado.

> I think if people liked prison they would be queuing at the doors and yet they do every thing they can to evade it even when they reoffend.  We certainly don't hear of lad regularly handing themselves in on a Monday morning do we :-)
> Whatever little luxuries they appear to have they have no freedom, no choices and they are seperated from their family and friends.

No Isabel we dont,and im not questioning your opinion merely stating what ive learned from my experiance.The shop where I worked was across the road from one of the roughest parts of the town it was in and we got a load of bad lads and smackheads hairs to cut on a regular basis and seriously a certain lad,who i wont name on here,but whose hair I cut on a regular basis was only ever out of prison for a month at the most before he was back inside for various charges of assault...all serious.
He loved it and i know this cos he used to laugh and joke about it with me(not that I condone what he did but at work we were always told not to be argumentative or abusive to customers,be polite and listen at all times)He said it was like being on holiday and he didnt mind not having no freedom or being separarted from his family or friends, cos he had just as good a time inside and not have to worry about work for a few months.

The really really saddening thing was he had his own buisness which I understand did quite well and he got a good wage from it,( eg flashy new motors parked outside when he came in for his hair done)every time he went in side,his dad ran it for him and banked his money for him so he came out to a shed load of cash and a prosperous buisness each time.......
Wheres the justice in that?

I suppose there will always be oddities in this world but on the other hand this is just what he's telling you :-)

>> unfortunately that's just not true. Kids are often seen climbing on the wall of the house opposite me, and sitting up there - it's about 7 feet high but they use the phone box to get up. They shouldn't be doing it but do they deserve to be cut to ribbons for it - they're not actually doing any harm up there.

Good point actually! Never thought of that, and true i agree with that.

> I suppose there will always be oddities in this world but on the other hand this is just what he's telling you

Thats very true Isabel,but after bumping into him on a night out once and seeing him in action so to speak,I really have no doubt what he tells me was the truth.

Maybe for some offenders once is enough ,I dont know,I would hope so,but what i do know is that for cases like the lad ive been talking about and  quite a few others ive come across,our justice system clearly doesnt work.

I suppose it depends what you have to go home to - if you have no one to miss at home or if you are on the streets then maybe being locked up wouldn't be so bad :-D . For some who are in and out a lot they are probably becoming institutionalised too, there is something to be said for making no decisions,having no choices and just doing what you're told when you are told to do it. Can't say I would enjoy the being locked up bit bt the whole not having to make decisions bit would be good for a short while :-D

The vast majority of offenders are in for drug related crime.
They would do anything for their habit and when they are desperate they would sell their Grannies. They are not committing crime because jail is so 'cushy' it's because they dont think of the consequences of their actions when they are desperate for money.
Whether you think jail is a free hotel or not, I doubt if many posters would want to be in there, despite how bad the credit crunch gets.

ditto whats tooolz has said on this in how they don't think about who this affects as long as they get the cash for their next hit. Some are on hundreds of pounds drug habit a week, so their way of getting the money quick is by burglary.
Some get clean in prison and then come out and can't cope and go back on it, only takes the once for some drugs for it all to start again.
You will find drugs in many prisons as well, so some never get off the stuff.