I don't know how they operate in the U.K., but here in the U.S. the smart criminals just wait until you are gone and then ignore your alarm. (The ones who are smarter than that just circumvent the alarm whether you're still there or not.) Locking things up is the best (though not foolproof) method of protecting one's goods.

It isn't about asking "why should we have to do such things". It is more like breathing, of which most people don't question the particulars. You breathe to live, just as you lock stuff up so it doesn't stolen. There will be some people who will always steal. Crime will always exist, no matter where you live.

When I was younger, some of my miscreant friends would have laughed themselves silly if they heard a talking alarm.

A brief amount of research into the world history of physical security would reveal alarms (whether person-to-person or 21st century electronic systems) to be mostly ineffective and usable as a secondary measure at most. An alarm on its own does very little to protect valuables. An activated house alarm with the front door wide open (or unlocked) will fail to protect your house. The primary method of protecting one's valuables has been and always will be some manner of confinement. We've come a long way from posting a contingent of guards around a small wooden box and the crudest of locks to having twelve foot thick bank vaults, biometric locking mechanisms, and electronic perimeter fencing. Things only continue to advance with physical security. Alarms will always be a supplementary precaution.

If you truly need an answer to your "whys", here you go: if you don't, someone may steal it. It really is as simple as that.

Just my two pence.

 

Locks only make it less convienent, they just come back later with tools to cut locks or chain, break windows or whatever. The only thing that deters these weak ass bastards is that they don't like to be watched. Video cameras whether they are fuctional or not, do a lot to change behavior. Unfortunately there is no perfect method, thieves almost always go for the simplest and easiest. Most won't climb a fence, takes time and effort, don't know what's on the other side, don't know who will be passing by when leaving. It's too obvious that they don't belong.

Anyway, if your neighborhood is getting so bad that everything of value must be physically secured when unattend, you might look into video, it's not too expensive anymore. You'll know who and when you have unwanted visitors, and have something to show police. I start off with an old webcam and a cheap VCR, just to catch a neighbor stealing my newspaper...

 

hi Harvey,

I agree, its virtually impossible to block a determined 'scum bag' its the opportunist thief that is deterred with a simple alarm system

I use CCTV [ the UK has the most CCTV coverage/person in the world] with the camera outputs into an old VCR, [hidden]

Todate, we have caught two groups of criminals.
First lot were going from house to house, on Friday nights, about midnight stealing the money left out for the early morning milk delivery, weekly money collection.

Two other guys, who had stolen a car, late pm, crashed it into a pavement,
one of them ran and hid up my driveway, took off his coat and baseball hat and hid them in the driveway.
Police came, asked for the video tape, while we were talking, the guy came back for his coat, we watched him on the CCTV!!,
he was nicked.

Never did get my tapes back, what a 'cop' out.

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"Good enough is Perfect"

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For what it's worth, I use CCTV at my home to deter theft. (It's also very nice for aiding the police after the fact.) I also keep everything that can go indoors inside. I lock my home (and double check all of the locks, including windows, regularly) and set the (monitored) alarm when I leave.

Despite all of this, my outdoor dog (which was attached to a run-line) was stolen a couple years ago, along with four other neighbor's dogs in the same neighborhood. They waited until the dog had run momentarily out of direct view of the cameras. It's only took (literally) seconds. They were never caught.

I'm a huge advocate of video surveillance; once again as a secondary (or tertiary) measure, in addition to containment. Nothing on its own is perfect, but by using multiple approaches in order to tackle a problem, you can come close. It is also important to tailor the security to each particular situation. (An example being that if you live near where trains run (or any other loud noise), then an unmonitored alarm system becomes a much less viable option.)

In a fairly related statement: The Discovery Channel has a show here in the U.S. that makes for a pretty good, educational watch, It Takes a Thief.

The premise is that two convicted burglars check out a neighborhood and find a home where the owner agrees to be entered (with the stipulation that everything taken is returned). They break in, take everything valuable, and leave. The owner (and family) watch on hidden cameras. Then everything gets returned and the two "hosts" show the homeowner how to better secure the property and installs/fixes anything that needs to be done. At the end of the show, the two burglars come back a random number of weeks later (without the homeowners knowledge) and tape themselves trying to break in again. They then reveal the new tape and the results of the attempt to the owner and his family.

It makes for entertaining and educational television.

 

hi,

>> The Discovery Channel has a show here in the U.S. that makes for a pretty good, educational watch,

Similar TV program in the UK, they just use one ex-criminal, who now runs a security business.

The risks that some people take with their homes is just inviting trouble. Keys under the door mat, cat flaps, etc............

As you may know, we cannot use force against an intruder, else we get charged with assault!.

The joke is when you get someone causing grief on your property, you call the police, who come eventually, [sometimes]
and they say "we cannot do anything about the case unless we catch them in the act", and the joke bit
is they say, "if they come back call us again"...... endless loop,,,, just another 'cop' out from the paper work.

__________________
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"Good enough is Perfect"

PIC tutorials:
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Bill's: www.blueroomelectronics.com/

 

By the way, the whole idea behind locks isn't to make something more difficult to take, it's to make stealing said items less convenient compared to and take more time than any other options the thieves may have.

An unlocked car is more apt to get stolen than one which is not. Your neighbor's bike will most likely be stolen before yours, which is locked up. A burglar will climb through the window of the home which leaves its windows open on a regular basis before he'll break through the one who keeps his shut. A thief will steal from the person who constantly leaves his property a mess before he will from the person who is puts everything neatly away; it's more likely to go unnoticed by both the owner and any neighbors.

Criminals love complacency and convenience.

 

It is the same here in the U.S. as well.

 

I believe here in America we are still allow to defend ourselves and property. Personally, I'd take my chances on an assault charge in case of a home invasion. I don't own a gun, but there are many useful items handy...

Video is the best route, unless its a theft of operatunity (just walking by, and notice something easy an unattended), you'll see them doing some research before doing the crime. Had some neighbors once, kids had one of thos battery powered cars they ride up and down the sidewalks, through your yard, into your car... Was a little tempted, would have been a great start of a robot, kids were annoying with it anyway. They broke after only a few monthes, noticed that they were pushing each other instead of it being under its own power, eventually out to the curb for trash pickup. Figured the motors and gears were thrashed by then.

 

The Sign on My Doors Reads:

"If you enter here Without Permission you may be Electrocuted".

Reguardless of the Consequences, It Will Happen.
15KV at 60 Ma.

I worked hard for what I have and been robbed 3 Times in my life with Break and Enters.

NO MORE!

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Website: http://www3.telus.net/chemelec

 

That assumes you call the police?, if you just give them a seriously good beating, make sure you obtain their name and address (and pass it on to all your black belt mates), then chuck them out in the street!.

Very, very true - but you do 33 mph in a 30 limit and the police are all over you!.

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hi Nigel,

>> That assumes you call the police?, if you just give them a seriously good beating, make sure you obtain their name and address (and pass it on to all your black belt mates), then chuck them out in the street!.

At one time, I could have used my unarmed combat skills and beaten the cr*p out of them, but sadly I am little to old to do that,
the only 'black' belt I have now is in 'origama'.

Perhaps you might consider being my 'minder' for a small fee??

__________________
Eric
"Good enough is Perfect"

PIC tutorials:
Gramo's: www.digital-diy.net/
Bill's: www.blueroomelectronics.com/

 

A big wooden club often works wonders!

__________________
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Well folks thanks for all the possitive Idea's trouble is now I'm left with a decision deal with the sistuation with electronics or hand out a good kicking,seeing as I'm only 5'5" I think I will try out Erics method with the re-wire PIR wsitch and see where it goes.

On another note anyone got any thoughts how I could use a Cammera flash to make any backyard wonderers think that their photo had been taken,Again triggered by PIR. or similar.

 

So right!! last Monday week I was caught Get this doing 35 mph in a 30 zone by those grabbing roadside speed Vans.I was acctaully doing 30 but I think I sneezed or let wind,anyway I'm expecting a fine.Dun't seem right but I will pay the £60 and the three points because I'm guilty as charged,first time in 20 years but still those scum bags that stole my Lads bike go scott free!!!.


Regards Mark

 

i agree with chemelec if someone robbed me, which they haven't yet, i'd go straight for the electric fence idea . that'll give them something to go home with hehehe

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