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If you are buying a new-build home, look for Secured by Design approval. A person’s home is likely to be the biggest purchase they ever make. You will expect your future safety and security to have been included. However, Private house builders are under NO obligation to provide any physical security other than very basic to your newly built home.

There are developers who do see the significance of minimum standards for physical security, and so win the Secured by Design Developers Award. The Award is given to building developments which are built to our guidelines and so reduce the opportunity for crime. They should be able to produce a certificate co-signed by the local Police force endorsing their achievement.

Click here to find out more about the SBD National Building Approval scheme

Click here to find out more about Approved Document Q

How to secure your doors

• When buying a new a door it is better to buy a new doorset, the complete assembled frame and door, certified to British Standard PAS 24 – Doors of Enhanced Security.
• If refurbishing a door check that the frame is firmly fixed and sturdy. If it is weak or rotten, replace it.
• Check that the door hinges are sturdy and secured with strong, long screws.
• For added security fit hinge bolts or security hinges. These help to reinforce the hinge side of a door against force and protect the hinge if your door opens outwards.
• If fitting locks to a standard wooden door, fit a 5-lever mortise lock plus a night latch or rim lock both tested to BS 3621. These are a minimum insurance requirement.
• If your door is PVC-U or Composite it should be fitted with a Multipoint lock meeting British Standard 3621.
• Europrofile cylinders used on PVC-U and Composite doors should meet the TS007 standard and for additional protection use a security door handle.
• Before fitting locks to PVC-U or metal doors, check with the installer to make sure that this will not affect your warranty.
• Consider fitting a cage or restrictor on your letterbox to prevent thieves from putting their hands or gadgets through the letterbox.
• If fitting an external letterbox, make sure it is tested to the TS009:2012 standard, which covers free-standing or surface-mounted letterboxes.
• Fit a door viewer so you can identify people before opening the door.
• Door chains can stop callers pushing their way in, but must be securely fixed to avoid screws being pulled out. They will not help secure a locked door against burglary.
• Glass panels on or around doors can be particularly vulnerable, so it is worth replacing them with laminated glass.
• Patio doors are especially vulnerable to break-in by levering off the tracks. When buying ask for the sliding section to be on the inside and for anti-lift blocks.
• Multi-locking systems are also recommended for patio doors, or have mortise security bolts with removable keys at the top and bottom of both doors.
• Existing patio doors can be fitted with additional security bolts to stop lifting or forced entry.

When fitting security devices you must consider the risk of fire. Do not fit systems that will prevent escape from occupied buildings. For example,

• Fitting and padlocking a steel bar gate over the face of a standard front door in a house will impede escape.
• Misplacing the extra keys may prove fatal.
• A BS: PAS24 door and frame provides better security and does not increase the fire risk.
• A window that may be used as a fire escape to a flat roof should not have a lock and key, but should be fitted with laminated so it still provides security.
• If windows are locked, make sure the keys are easily available and within reach.

For your protection fit smoke detectors, at least one per floor level, and check batteries regularly.

For further fire safety information visit the UK Fire Service Resource: www.fireservice.co.uk/safety/

Burglars want easy pickings and will avoid effective security. Government statistics have shown that improvements in home security, such as fitting an intruder alarm, have played a significant role in reducing burglaries.

Did You Know:

• The majority of burglaries occur when there is nobody at home; most are not planned but committed by opportunists.
• An alarm can be part-set to cover areas that you are not occupying whilst at home.
• Alarm wiring is already in place in many new houses.
• Wire-free alarms are available if you are worried about wiring in your house.
• Systems can include a ‘Hold Up Alarm’, invaluable if there is an intruder in the house – a typical location for one might be in the bedroom.

If you have decided your property would benefit from an alarm system, it is advisable to use a reputable alarm certificated by a NSI or SSAIB company who install to the current European Standards.

When investing in Security Systems for your home or business it is not advisable to deal with telesales or doorstep callers.

Only speak to installers that offer you a written quotation without obligation. Turn away any company that try and shock you into purchasing with stories of burglaries in your locality. If you feel a particular company has tried ‘hard sell’ tactics, you should consider contacting your local police or Trading Standards Office. Do not enter into long-term monitoring contracts that require payment up front.

Professional installers will:

• Thoroughly survey your home, assessing the risks and designing a system to your specific needs.
• Install reliable up-to-date equipment that meets the relevant European Standards.
• Ensure their engineers are thoroughly trained. Explain to you fully and clearly how the system works. Ensure the alarm continues to work efficiently.
• Ensure that there is no damage or mess to décor and wiring is concealed where possible.

Audible Alarms

These sound a loud siren or bell, scaring the intruder and alerting neighbours and passers-by. This type of alarm does not get an automatic police response. For the police to respond, some additional information from a person at the scene that a criminal offence is in progress would have to be given.

DIY

DIY kits may provide a cheap alternative. However, the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) does not recommend them for the following reasons:

• The alarm system may not be designed to meet the needs and risks of your property.
• Problems with installation, maintenance and reliability may not become clear until a burglary has occurred.

Remote Signalling Alarms

These alarms send a signal to a commercial “Alarm Receiving Centre” (ARC) who alert a keyholder of your choice and, if required, the police. There is an additional cost for this service and for the police response. The system has to be installed, monitored and maintained in accordance with the UK Police Service’s guidelines for response to Security Systems.

Alarm Terminology

Detection

Movement Detectors

The most common form of movement detector is a passive infra-red, or combined passive infra-red and microwave, also known as dual tecs. These devices are usually mounted in the corner of a room and tuned to detect any movement, including animals, within the room. One detector can offer protection to a large room.

Magnetic Detectors

They activate when the magnetic field between contacts is broken.

Perimeter Devices

These devices can be set whilst people and animals are actually in the protected room or area. There are a number of types of devices (e.g. break glass and vibration detectors, etc) and your alarm installer can give you further advice.

Alarm Sounders

External Sounders and Bell Box

The bell box should provide protection against weather and unauthorised tampering. Either a bell or a siren type sounder should be used.

Your alarm bell box will act as a deterrent to many thieves, therefore it should be sited as high as possible to give maximum visibility and make tampering difficult. Systems installed to European Standards will have their own battery back-up and self-contained bell module and will continue to sound even if the unit is removed from the wall.

Internal Sounders

The internal sounders fitted to most alarm systems will sound when the main system is activated. The level of sound they emit can vary enormously from low level for domestic use, to an ear piercing tone, often used within commercial premises.

Zone

Zones allows for the system to be part set, for example, at night the downstairs zone could be set whilst the rest of the system could be off.

The Control Panel

The control panel works from the mains supply and has an auxiliary battery in case of mains failure. It processes signals from the detectors and operates the sounders. They will normally have a remote keypad or reader and will be set and unset using a fob.

Personal Attack Device

Hold Up Alarm: These are operated by a push button to activate the alarm at any time, even if the intruder alarm is switched off. Attack alarms must only to be used when the occupier is under personal attack and not for any other purpose.

Recognised Companies

The Police accept the installation of remote signalling alarms from alarm companies that are inspected by these independent inspectorate organisations:

NSI – National Security Inspectorate

or

SSAIB – Security Systems & Alarms Inspection Board

Useful Contacts

Alarms Administration at your local Police Headquarters – call 101
Police contact details: www.police.uk
National Security Inspectorate (NSI): www.nsi.org.uk
Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board (SSAIB): www.ssaib.org
Police Security Systems information and policy documents: Security Systems Policy
Trading Standards: www.nationaltradingstandards.uk

Mortise deadlock

• Mortise locks fit into a slot cut into the edge of the door and usually can only be opened with a key.
• These should be upgraded to 5-lever locks tested and certificated to BS: 3621:2007. This is usually a minimum insurance requirement.
• The locks are based on a range of standard measurements so, with careful matching, replacement is easy.
• A deadlock means a thief can’t smash a nearby glass panel to open the door from the inside or, having entered through a window, cannot carry your belongings out through the door.

Rim lock or Night latch

• A rim lock is screwed to the face of the door and latches automatically when you close the door unless held open with the snib.
• Unless it also has the term deadlock attached, it can be opened by turning a knob.
• Rim locks should be tested and certificated to BS:3621:2007.

Automatic deadlocking rim lock

• This locks automatically when the door is closed and is more secure than other types of rim latch.
• It needs a key to open it from both the inside and the outside and should meet BS:3621:2007.
• Ideally both types of lock should be fitted to a door at roughly one third spacing.
• Both should be used to secure an empty home and just the night latch use during occupancy.

Multi-point locking

• These involve several hooks or bolts holding the door into the frame.
• The lock cylinders should be tested and certificated to TS 007 or SS 312 - Diamond Standard and can be replaced.
• If your door is BS: PAS24 and it requires replacement locks ensure they are changed like for like to continue the level of security.

• Identify your private property with fences, gates, walls or planting.
• Gates and fences are the first signs of a secure home and act as a good deterrent to intruders. Make sure they are in good repair.
• Keeping your front gate closed sends a psychological message of privacy, so consider investing in a gate spring.
• A thorny hedge along the boundary of your property can put thieves off, but make sure that passers-by can still see the front of your home so that a burglar can't work without being seen.
• Ensure that side access to the rear garden is secured with a 2 metre high fence and gate. You can fix trellis topping to your fence as it makes climbing difficult.
• Ensure ladders are put away and bins can’t be turned into climbing aids.
• For a perimeter fence by a public path or other vulnerable area, consider defensive or prickly shrubbery on your side of the fencing.
• Burglars don't like gravel as it is noisy to walk on.
• Security lighting should make offenders feel vulnerable and observed. Illuminate high risk areas and allow occupiers to see people approaching. An outdoor light operated by sensors can be used to make intruders feel vulnerable and observed.
• Make sure passers-by can see the front of your home by cutting plants to 1m to deny burglars privacy as they work.

A home that looks empty is more likely to be targeted by a burglar, use automatic timer-switches to turn on a light and perhaps a radio when it goes dark, even for just a couple of hours.

• Take photos of your expensive items and keep copies of them with your insurance policy. Marking your belongings will help you and the police identify them if they are stolen.
• Keep a record of the make, model and serial number of valuables.
• Think about fitting a small safe.
• For electronic or larger items, use a commercial or forensic marker which identifies the item as yours to increase your chance of getting it back if it’s stolen.
• Do not close your curtains during the daytime; this can suggest your home is empty.
• A pile of post on the doormat is a clear sign that you are away. Ask a trusted neighbour to clear your post away, or use Royal Mail’s 'keepsafe' service, they will keep your mail for up to two months.
• Beware of bogus callers; use your spy hole and a door chain until you have seen their ID and are satisfied you want to let them in.
• Never discuss your security requirements or existing arrangements with a doorstep caller or salesperson.

Property Marking

• This can make it difficult for the thief to dispose of the property and may provide the vital evidence for prosecution.
• Items should be visibly and permanently marked.
• You can inscribe or etch your postcode plus the number of your house or flat or the first two letters of its name.
• You can use a commercial marking product.
• If your property and personal details are held on a property database, make sure that it passes LPS1224 or BS: 7799 standards.
• Ultra-violet postcode marking can be removed and can fade in time. It should be used in conjunction with a specialist product, such as chemical trace liquids or microdots painted on internal or hidden components.

Computers

• With computers so integrated with our lives and more people working from home, the data and hours of work are equally, if not more, valuable than the technology.
• Security enclosures and cables are available for desk-tops, laptops and digital video projectors.
• Back-up data regularly and store safely away from the computer.
• Use passwords and activate firewalls for Internet connections, particularly if using wireless networks.

How to secure your windows

Windows are a popular point of entry for burglars through breaking glass or just being left open.

• When buying new windows, install windows which are certified to British Standard PAS 24. Secured by Design accredited windows all meet this standard.
• Window locks are essential on ground floors and above flat roofs. They can be retro-fitted to many windows. If the window is used as a fire escape, be sure to have the key in an easy-to-reach place out of reach of the window.
• Consider using laminated glass in ground-floor and accessible windows such as those above a flat roof. Glazing may be protected from being smashed with the addition of accredited adhesive window film.
• Patio doors and conservatories are vulnerable so if not secure install additional locks and security blocks to stop lifting or forced entry.
• When buying patio doors ask for the sliding section to be on the inside and for anti-lift blocks. Multi-locking systems are recommended or have mortise security bolts with removable keys at the top and bottom of both doors.
• Small windows such as skylights or bathroom fanlights need locks. If a thief can get their head through, with a bit of effort the body can follow.