Burglaries Between the Commons Post Reply

[Sazzlelondon]

Hi all,

I just wanted to make you all aware that extra caution re security may be necessary at the moment.

We live on Leathwaite Road and our house was broken into last week in the middle of the day. We are totally exposed, no hedge in the front garden and there were people around on the street but (at least) two males used a crowbar to force our front sash window open.

Fortunately (or unfortunately depending on how you look at it), I work earlies and so was in bed napping when it happened at half past one, but I heard them jump into the lounge and so ran into the hallway and shouted at them and they jumped back out of the window. The key point is that they knocked on the door several times before they jimmied the window, and when they didn't get an answer they said, "let's go for it", and were in within just a few seconds.

Two nights later another house on our street was also burgled.

Just posting so you're all aware.

[calgary]

Thank you for letting us know about this.

Also, thank goodness that you're ok. What a horrible and frightening experience it must have been!

[BalhamMumWorkingFT]

If your house is being broken into, the best thing to do is NOT to interrupt or try to stop them. Pretend to be asleep. Same thing happened to friends (not in Balham) and the police said it was probably best they "slept" through it. You never know who it is or what they might do! (we have a panic button in our house and police will be there in minutes) -- later posted she did the right things by interrupting them... I am no expert and I would definitely follow police advise.

Also, don't keep keys by the door... they has their car stolen as well!

Stay Safe

PS> I am not saying the previous poster acted incorrectly. It is usually all about instincts. I am just glad everyone was safe as I am sure it was a very scary experience.

[juliantenniscoach]

We're about to fit some movement sensitive lights around the house. That would enough to discourage the opportunist burglar. No keys, phones around the letterbox (they get hooked out) etc.

Glad you escaped that situation intact.

[mumtotwo]

That is just awful! I really hope that you are alright, what a frightening experience and it just shocks me that these idiots would do something like that in the middle of the day when there are so many mothers at home.

Its hard to know what to do in these situations. My friend forgot to lock her bottom lock one night and they broke into her house with a coat hanger (through the letterbox). She was in bed and her husband was away. She woke up with the burgulars standing right over her! I think I'd rather confront them then be woken up with them right next to me.

I also live between the commons and there has been a string of burgularlys on our street. The police know who are doing them but just need to catch them in the act. Apparently they watch mothers going in and out of their houses to see whether they are in or not. Scary.

[Lardylyd]

Hi everyone,

My friend just sent me this link, and thought I would warn you that last weekend I was also burgled. We live on grandson road, and they also came through the front bay window, forcing the locks. They then left through the back doors and garden-hopped over nearly 20 gardens!

Sounds obvious now, but get those screw in bolts in sash windows and police said alarms are real deterents.

We weren't in at the time and nor was my savage dog (!) which was a shame.

I've noticed lots more police patrols so hopefully it might feel a bit safer again.

X

[kiwimummy]

what a horrible experience! glad you are ok.

SDS came to our place to check security after we moved in. they showed me how easily someone could enter our house popping the top lock through access by the letterbox. we've got a cover for the letterbox now that would make it much more difficult. plus sash stops and improved locks on the doors.

if they are prepared to break in in broad daylight though, not sure what can stop them! must have been really scary.

[secondtimer]

So sorry to hear that several posters have had these experiences.

We have a SDS alarm and it's possible to set the down stairs bit separately at night for extra peace of mind. Doesn't work if you have night wandering children though!!

[juliantenniscoach]

Just a thought to all concerned. If you don't have specific sash locks and you get burgled your insurance maybe invalid. our hiscox makes specific requirements including sash locks and how you lock them. don't comply? you won't get paid out

[Sazzlelondon]

Hi all again,

Thanks so much for your kind and supportive words, it actually was pretty frightening.

As referenced in some posts, the police told us to get the proper sash window locks which we have now done, because it was all to easy for the burglars to break the window catches that were there previously.

The other thing I'd like to say is that I had no particular plan of how to confront or not confront the burglars in my mind, I just acted mainly on impulse, but interestingly, the police told me that I had done exactly the right thing otherwise they would have found me alone in my bedroom. As it was, I shouted, "You're not alone in the house, I've rung the police," and because they couldn't see me they didn't know I was alone.

I heard yesterday of another burglary between the Commons three weeks ago, again the front window was forced.

I am now interested in joining or starting a neighbourhood watch scheme between the Commons - does anyone know if there is one already or would be interested in taking part?

[Lodgerette]

Hi All,

My husband works for ADT as a security consultant in Balham, Clapham, Wandsworth and Putney and he has been really busy with break ins lately.

Sorry to hear about the burglary, he recommends that if you hear anything the best thing to do is get the family to a safe place and lock yourself in and if possible don't try and confront anyone.

We have also registered our property on a website called Imobilise its a free service and was recommended to us by the police. it helps them trace your property if it is sold on and also helps you remember what you have if you need to make an insurance claim

If you want any advice on alarms and general security, he would be more than happy to help, just message me directly and I can pass on your details or give you his number

[WandsworthResident]

Neighbourhood Watch is a good idea, we have one on our road.

The council will help residents set one up, & you don't have to do the whole road if yours is very long, you can choose a segment from one junction to another for example. Once you get people signed up then it's pretty easy to co-ordinate via email.

There is a link on the council website with more details:

http://www.wandsworth.gov.uk/info/870/c ... hood_watch

[Toots-1]

Hi SazzleLondon,

sorry to hear of your experience; I'm glad you were OK though.

I've just recently started a Neighbourhood Watch in my street (down in Tooting) and want to say that the local SNT (safer neighbourhood team - police) have been marvellous. You could also speak to your local SNT about something called "Flash", which is a free service from the Fire Brigade which checks your fire safety AND locks & gives you advice on how to improve areas where you might be vulnerable.

Even if you aren't able to get a Neighbourhood Watch (NHW) started soon, the council might be able to provide you with their Meerkat NHW window stickers which warn people you're part of a watch & are apparently a deterrent. Having said that, I asked the council about starting a watch in my street, and within a month they had organised the launch meeting.

Anyway, keep safe & good luck!
Tracey

[W_W_lady]

It is absolutely shocking how many burglaries are happening at the moment, I live near Battersea Park and was also broken in to last Wednesday. They managed to manipulate our front door lock which was just a Yale lock, and then when they were in, they had all the time in the world to kick our flat door in. This was also in the middle of the day. We have now majorly increased all our security and locks - but I no longer feel safe and it has been a huge violation of my personal space.

Talking to the police, they are noticing a huge increase in crime, as one officer told me - 'after the riots it went very quite, and now they are all starting to get out of prison, so crime is creeping back up, and we predict a very busy christmas'. - not very reassuring!

So please, all be safe, and really access your security preventions.

[amybelle79]

Reading this thread I just wanted to give my sympathies and say how brave I think you all are. A burglary is a terrible violation and its really scary to hear that there seems to be such a growing problem.

Our insurance company came out to do a security inspection of our house and suggested that we:
* Fit a banham lock instead of yale which are apparently very easy to force. For good measure fit a second lock towards the bottom of the door
* Fit the screw in window locks (buy them from SDS on northcote rd, very easy to install)
* Fit a cover over the letterbox to make it harder to reach in and jimmy locks

Of course they also suggested an alarm but as we have a cat its not really possible. Another little thing I have done is to rig the house with those plug in timers that turn lights and radios on and off at different times - good for if we go away for the weekend etc.

I hate the idea of these guys lurking about watching mums go about their business. and Its a special worry with christmas coming up and people being away.

Anyway, stay safe everyone!