Comments on: Burglary… and basic home security for students

By: three-legged-cat

three-legged-cat — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 22:12:23 +0000

Sounds like a scary experience, glad to hear that you’re OK. That’s all good advice IMO.

Here’s another one, albeit somewhat bizarre:
Don’t leave your house or car keys anywhere visible from your letterbox!

I live in Crookes. A few years back I was surprised to see a hand coming through my letter box very late one evening. Especially cheeky given that we were in the house at the time. Whoever it was ran off by the time I got outside, so that was that.

I was told later (by a policeman) that there had been thefts where keys were hooked up on bits of extending aerials/fishing rods or something similar. Then the thieves had the keys, making burglary or car theft very easy. I had previously though this was an urban myth.

I keep my keys upstairs these days.

By: Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 21:00:13 +0000

I’m glad you’re alright, at least. Although I might rather die than have someone steal my super computer. Thanks for the tips. I can’t believe your brave enough to charge at someone half naked who might have a weapon, kudos.

By: howtogetlost

howtogetlost — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 20:10:57 +0000

Thanks for your comment Pamela. I live in a privately rented house by the way, so home security issues are a bit different for me. Here in Sheffield all university halls have key fob or card swipe access systems as well as cctv and so on, so they’re pretty safe.

By: Pamela

Pamela — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 19:34:46 +0000

Thanks for the tips. I think it’s also important for universities to install access control systems in their buildings and dorms. This allows campus police to more effectively track who is coming and going in the buildings.