New sentencing guidelines on burglary released yesterday are less likely to deter criminals from breaking into homes than a monitored burglar alarm, identified by a highly visible bell box, says ADT, the UK’s leading home security provider. 

According to the British Crime Survey, the British public are more likely to suffer from someone attempting to break into their homes than be victims of pickpocketing. Last year there were 745,000 attempted burglaries, compared to 491,000 people who were pickpocketed and 94,000 who had their car stolen[i].

Mark Shaw, General Manager for Residential Business at ADT Fire and Security, said: “While the new guidelines are welcome, it is a well-known fact that the majority of residential burglaries are opportunistic.  We know that by taking a few simple measures people can help to make their homes less of a target to predators.”

To help keep your property safe, ADT’s security experts urge you to follow these three steps: 

• Use timer switches to make your home look occupied after dark
• Put all valuables out of sight and make sure outbuildings, sheds and garages are secure
• Ensure your front door and windows are locked to help keep burglars out.

Shaw said:  “Research shows that 84% of burglars avoid targeting properties with an alarm system..  Monitored alarms with visible bell boxes, like ADT’s vibrant yellow bell boxes, are a great deterrent and provide cost effective, all year round security, so it’s well worth considering investing in one of these too.”

More than 200,000 UK home owners trust ADT to help keep them safe.  The company has more than 400 security experts in the Customer Service Centre and 2,000 professionally trained engineers ensuring that ADT home security systems are working well across the country throughout the year. 

[i]Crime in England and Wales 2010/11, Findings from the British Crime Survey and police recorded crime (2nd Edition), July 2011, p.39