‘Casing a house’ refers to a process where potential burglars watch a house over time, with the intention of a break-in. This can include assessing the house’s security, potential entry points and escape routes, and the resident’s daily routines. It’s an initial step taken by burglars to successfully execute a burglary without getting caught, which is their main objective.
- The Mindset and Goals of a Burglar
- Common Types of Burglars: Opportunistic vs. Planned Burglaries
- The Signs of Casing a House
- Behavioural Signs of Casing
- Steps to Take if You Suspect Burglars Are Casing your Home
- Home Security Measures to Deter A Burglar
- Conclusion
- Other FAQs
The Mindset and Goals of a Burglar
A burglar is motivated to steal valuable items with minimal effort and risk. Casing a house enables them to identify houses with minimal security measures, whether it is easily accessible, and contain valuable possessions. Burglars seek homes where they can enter and exit without the risk of being detected and when occupants are not present. A burglar’s mindset is to avoid confrontation and detection, which is why they tend to thoroughly plan ahead of a potential break-in.
How do burglars choose a house to burgle?
By casing a house, a burglar will identify whether the home is a low-risk property to break into. (link to How Burglars See Your Home – once live) This means the risk of being caught is low, which is a high priority for a burglar.
A burglar will look for a house with these elements:
- There is easy access to your home and a lack of security measures in place. For instance, a home without a security system, glass-fronted doors, window-based AC units, unlocked windows, and a lack of security lighting.
- Residents who follow a predictable daily schedule. For example, a burglar will take note of whether a resident leaves for work or the gym at the same time each day.
- Your property is isolated or located at the far edge of neighbourhoods.
- You live in a well-maintained area, which indicates you are more likely to have valuable possessions.
- The porch or letterbox is overflowing, or packages are left on the front porch, indicating residents are away.
- The lawn is overgrown, indicating homeowners are away.
- The home is occupied by a single person (especially if female or elderly), making them more vulnerable.
- Your house is dark for more than one night in a row, indicating the house is empty.
- Expensive cars are parked in the driveway, indicating wealthy homeowners.
Common Types of Burglars: Opportunistic vs. Planned Burglaries
Professional burglars will more likely target a specific house they have been observing. Opportunistic burglars act more spontaneously when they see an immediate opportunity.
Opportunistic Burglars
- They don’t invest time planning or casing a house.
- Common opportunities they will look for include open windows, unlocked doors, or visible valuables left unattended.
Planned Burglaries
- Planned burglars invest time in casing a house and observing the homeowner’s patterns of behaviour.
- They typically have advanced tools and strategies to overcome security measures the house may have.
- These burglars are more likely to strike when they know occupants are away for an extended period, such as a holiday.
The Signs of Casing a House
These are the signs that a house is being cased by burglars.
Physical Signs of Casing
Signs of tampering with entry points
- Scratches, marks, or damaged locks on doors and windows can indicate an attempted or successful break-in.
- Even if you have not been a victim of a burglary, these signs could indicate that someone was casing your home and testing your security.
Unusual Markings or Symbols Around Your Property
- Some burglars use cryptic symbols or markings to communicate with other burglars about the potential risks and rewards of targeting your home.
- Look for chalk marks on walls, posts, pavements, or any other structure around your property.
Common Burglar Signs, Symbols, and Codes to Know
- Diamond: Vacant room
- Triangle: Single female occupant
- D with a dash underneath: House vacant on Sundays
- N: House vacant at night
- M: House vacant in the morning
- Cross: Occupant receptive to religious canvassers
- Circled 7 or 8: Vacancy in July or August
- Circle: Easy target
- Lines resembling a ladder: Visible valuables
- Barred circle: Avoid due to dog, security measures.
Presence of Unknown Items in Your Property
- Unknown items could range from items left to mark the house to tools left behind by burglars who were interrupted or decided to return later.
- Items to hide security surveillance devices that monitor your home.
Many flyers are left at the door
- Flyers lying around your porch can be used as markers to show which house is a likely target.
- They are used to determine which homeowners come back home the earliest.
- Burglars use this technique to see who picks up their flyers and when.
Disappearance of garbage
- Burglars are attracted to items other than money and jewellery.
- People often throw away unwanted papers that contain important information: name, date of birth, place of work, passport number, and other information.
- This information is used to open bank accounts, take out credit cards and apply for state benefits in your name.
Empty petrol tank in car
- Thieves can empty a vehicle’s petrol tank owned by the homeowner to delay them on their way home, allowing burglars more time to carry out the break-in.
Broken windows
- Some criminals throw stones at the windows of houses to check if the owners are in the home or if an alarm system is working.
Technological Signs of Casing
- Modern burglars may use technology, including drones to survey properties from a distance.
- They may also use online resources like social media to determine when homeowners are away. If you are publicly posting about a holiday, this could make your home vulnerable to attack.
- Advanced burglars may employ technology to disable security systems or to gain unauthorised access to the home.
Evidence of attempted cyber intrusion (security systems and surveillance cameras)
- Signs of attempted cyber intrusion could include your security systems or surveillance cameras acting unusually. This could indicate that someone may be trying to disable, bypass, or hack them.
- Regularly update your software, use strong and unique passwords, and use two-factor authentication to increase your security.
Fake Service Provider Attempts
- Be wary of unexpected service providers (such as internet, maintenance, and utilities) knocking on your door as these could be burglars trying to gain information or access.
- Always verify the identity of service providers, and be suspicious of unsolicited visits. Contact the company directly to confirm their visit.
Behavioural Signs of Casing
Strangers walking around the neighbourhood
- If you see an unfamiliar face walking around your neighbourhood, be extra cautious.
- Burglars casing the area will look for excuses to stay nearby to gather the information they are looking for.
- Inform the police if you are concerned about a stranger spending time in your neighbourhood and let your neighbours be aware too.
Frequent unknown visitors or vehicles around your area
- This could mean a burglar is observing your house, learning your routines, and evaluating your security measures.
- Take note if you see the same car passing by multiple times or unfamiliar people on foot who seem to be loitering without a clear purpose.
Calls from unknown numbers on your landline
- To find out what time the owners are not home, burglars can call the landline and cancel the call.
Knocking on doors pretending to offer services
- Knocking on doors is a common way for burglars to find out if a house is empty.
- While some individuals might be legitimate salespeople and handymen, you must do a background check before letting anyone inside your house.
- If you are unsure about the person asking to come into your home to provide a service, you are under no obligation to let them in.
Faking emergencies to gain access
- To get an idea of the layout of your home, burglars may pretend to fake an emergency to gain entry.
- Naturally, you would want to help them. Burglars are aware of that and take advantage of people’s kindness.
- Don’t let unexpected and unknown visitors inside your home.
Faking emergencies to gain access
- A stranger taking a picture of your house is suspicious behaviour.
- Using a smartphone makes it easier to conceal and quicker to take a photo, which burglars take advantage of.
Steps to Take if You Suspect Burglars Are Casing your Home
These are the signs that a house is being cased by burglars.
Reporting to law enforcement: when and how
- If you observe suspicious behaviour or find signs of attempted entry, it’s crucial to report this to the police immediately.
- Provide as much detail as possible, such as descriptions of suspicious vehicles and individuals, times of suspicious activity, and any other signs you have noticed.
- Regularly communicating with the police can also keep you updated on any burglary trends in your area.
Enhancing Security Measures
- It is a good time to review and enhance your security measures.
- This could involve improving front door security, including upgrading locks, installing a security system or cameras, adding outdoor lighting, or changing daily routines.
- Consider installing smart home technology, including video doorbells or remote security system control. It allows you to monitor your home when at work, shopping, or on holiday.
Role of Insurance in Case of a Burglary
- Ensure your home insurance policy is up-to-date and covers the value of your possessions.
- Review your policy to understand what is covered in case of a burglary and the process for claims.
- Having documentation of valuable possessions, including photographs and serial numbers, can help speed up the claims process if a burglary occurs.
Role of Insurance in Case of a Burglary
- Professional security consultants can provide expert advice tailored to your home and neighbourhood.
- They can help identify potential weaknesses in current security measures and suggest appropriate solutions.
- Utilising a professional service can provide peace of mind and ensure you have taken all necessary precautions to protect your home.
Home Security Measures to Deter A Burglar
The threat of burglary can leave you questioning your home’s security. Take a look at these security measures you can put in place to deter a burglar.
Keep a Record of Suspicious Activity
If you see an unfamiliar face in your neighbourhood, a car parked up and observing the area, or unusual symbols written on the pavement outside your home, this is suspicious activity that should be noted. The police may be aware of burglaries happening in the area and information like this will be helpful.
Start a Neighbourhood Watch Programme
For a safer community, it’s highly beneficial to start a Neighbourhood Watch Programme on your road. It’s proven to lower crime because you are looking out for each other and your properties, you can share crime prevention advice, and having a Neighbourhood Watch sign in your window signals to burglars that your neighbours are actively looking for suspicious activity.
Keep valuables out of sight
Burglars target homes that they think will contain valuables. Put away valuables at night and when you leave your home. It’s also wise to remove packaging from expensive items from outside your residence.
Please note:
Be mindful of the information you share, especially on social media. A burglar can look out for key information, such as where you work, your shopping habits, and if you are on holiday. When they have a good idea of your habits and where you live, they can work out when you’ll be out of the house.
Install burglar alarms
Visible alarm systems will prevent break-ins as a thief knows that it will alert you, the police, and neighbours in the area. Burglars do not want to be caught and seeing that an alarm system is in place will determine that a property is too risky to invade.
Install CCTV cameras
CCTV is also a proven deterrent and becoming a popular way for residents to protect their homes. According to 12 burglars surveyed by the Co-op in 2017, this is one of the most effective deterrents. CCTV recordings enhance the chances of correctly identifying and prosecuting criminals – an outcome a burglar does not want.
Install high-security doors
One of the most common points of entry for a burglar is the front door. This is why you must ensure your front door provides maximum security to deter a break-in. A door made from galvanised steel not only provides maximum front door security but will be long-lasting and require low maintenance. A steel front door may seem expensive compared to uPVC, wood, and composite, but in the long run, a steel door provides value for money (link to New Front Door Costs – once live) and, vitally, better protection.
Knowing how much force is needed to intrude through a steel security door, a burglar will be deterred from attempting a break-in and move onto a more vulnerable home.
Use Door and Window Sensors
Along with your front door, ground-floor windows are an easy way for burglars to break into your home. To strengthen their security, you can install door and window sensors. These are simple magnet mechanisms that alert you to attempts to enter your home through doors or windows and, paired with alarms, can scare off burglars.
Conclusion
It’s important to remember that a burglar’s main objective is to not be caught breaking into a home. This is why professional burglars will spend time casing a home before deciding on a house to burgle. As well as being aware of the signs of a burglar casing a house, ultimately you need to have effective security measures in place to ensure burglars are deterred from attempting to break into your home.
