What do burglars mark houses with? (2023)

What do burglars mark houses with?

As well as burglar chalk signs, burglars mark houses with almost anything they can; it may be a small blob of paint or a piece of string tied around a lamppost! "White and blue spray paint markings outside the house are the most common colours used by burglars.

Shadowy/dark areas outside your house attract burglars

Burglars that are targeting your home in the evenings or at night will likely look to break in where they can be hidden. Shadowy areas that are concealed by trees, cars, or even other walls can entice burglars during these times, as it hides them from neighbours.

Cash. Cash is still the king, even as most of us are increasingly shifting to using cards for payment. Cash is often the first thing a burglar will look for, especially in a purse or handbag.

Anything out-of-the-ordinary should tell you if someone is marking your house. It can include strangers walking around the neighborhood suspiciously, or unfamiliar vehicles parked outside a home that doesn't belong to the driver. Some burglars mark a target with stickers or fake flyers.

As for what burglars want to see when checking a house, they look for a property that has easy access to enter and exit without being seen. Here are some of the other things they look for: Unlocked windows and doors, open windows, doggy doors, and open garages are all signs a home may be easy to enter.

About 75 percent of burglars revealed that the bedroom was the first place they'd look for things to steal. Meanwhile, 26 percent said they'd check in an office or study, and 19 percent said the living room would be top on their lists (the burglars could choose more than one answer).

Aside from the master bedroom, the office or study is one of the first places burglars check for valuables. Like the living room, some people have the habit of displaying valuables in their study shelves or office. That well-earned diamond necklace can serve as a motivation for you to work harder.

How do you scare away thieves?

Thanks to better lighting and increased traffic, homes in high-visibility places, like on corner lots, are far less likely to be broken into, Paulsen says.

Burglars are after anything valuable you have at home, like electronics, designer clothing, firearms and even furniture. If these items are easily accessible, it's possible a thief could steal them.

According to her research, an overwhelming majority of burglars enter homes through the doors and windows. Thirty-four percent use the front door, while 22 percent get in through the back door. Twenty-three percent use first-floor windows. And oftentimes, those doors and windows aren't even locked.

Look for vulnerable folks (elderly, those living alone, easy targets, etc.) Opportunistic (very little forethought or planning) Desirability of property (smarter criminals) Casing the property (usually over days or weeks before the break in)

Burglars often leave signs on the property itself, so that they can identify it quickly when they come back. Learn which signs to look out for, and you'll be able to protect your home from break-ins more effectively.

What do most burglars take?

“The most popular items that burglars are looking to steal are typically cash, jewelry, and electronics.

Burglars look under the bed, in closets, in dresser drawers and medicine cabinets in your bathroom. Next burglars will hit up the kitchen and living room for electronics, credit cards, keys and personal information.

Homes in high-visibility places, like on corner lots, are far less likely to be broken into. There are simply too many potential ways to be seen.

No, leaving lights on can make intruders think that you're not home. Use a motion sensor light that turns on when you, or anyone else, comes near so you have light only when you need it.

For the average break-in, the presence of lighting is not even a factor as daylight would overshadow any security lighting. So do outdoor lights deter crime? They can, but only for a small portion of potential burglaries.

When you think of an intruder breaking into your home, you most likely imagine them sneaking in the middle of the night when you're sleeping. In reality, it is quite the opposite. Research suggests that most burglars break in during the day, typically between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. on weekdays.

However, most robberies occur on the street (44.5%), directly against a person, and are called a strong-arm robbery. When someone uses force or fear against you to steal your car, it's called carjacking. When someone robs you in your home (14.3%) it's called home invasion robbery.

Keep your windows covered and your garage locked so valuable items are out of sight. Install motion sensor lights, deadbolt locks and upgrade patio/sliding glass door locks. Trim shrubs and bushes to eliminate hiding spots, and never hide keys outside. Don't announce your vacation or trips on social media.

This blunts anxiety and gives them greater confidence. It also helps explain why so many burglars urinate and defecate in homes they are robbing. Walsh's sources said it was a combination of drink, fear and physical exercise and a reluctance to risk being trapped in a small room such as a toilet.

Using Lights To Mimic Human Activity

"People who leave their lights on during the day and they're on 24 hours a day actually attract attention from burglars," says Samantha Nolan, a Citywide Neighborhood Watch trainer for Washington, D.C.'s Metropolitan Police Department.

What is the number 1 stolen item?

#1. Cash. Cash is always on the top of burglars' wish list. Unlike other most commonly stolen items that need to be resold in pawn shops or on the street, cash can be used directly and quickly without any conspicuous.

Batteries. These are small, expensive items in regular demand. Clothing accessories: these include scarves, handbags, purses, gloves and other small and expensive things. Coffee: coffee is an expensive item in regular demand and may be stolen for person use or re-sale.

It is commonly touted that men are more likely to shoplift than women – however, this is based on data from 1980 and may be outdated. Approximately 1 out of 11 people in the US are shoplifters. ¼ of shoplifters are children. 55% of shoplifters began shoplifting when they were teenagers.

According to cooperative insurer's research theft is most likely to occur on a Friday. Around 40% of break ins occur during the day whilst 60% take place during the evening or at night. It's really important to use your home security, day and night.

65% of people who've been burglarized know the burglar. No one wants to imagine a scenario where they are being burglarized, and we wouldn't wish home burglary on anyone. What's more, the majority of burglaries were committed by people who knew their victims, according to a 2020 SafeAtLast report.

Not only is having a bunch of flyers or stickers stuck in your door a nuisance, it can also serve as a way for burglars to mark your home. Many burglars will stick flyers or stickers on homes that they think are unoccupied to serve as an indicator for their accomplices that the home is unguarded.

Burglars have been known to 'mark' houses of interest as a reminder to themselves and as a signal to accomplices. This could be a graffiti symbol, a small dot of paint, or a piece of string tied to your fence.

Aside from the master bedroom, the office or study is one of the first places burglars check for valuables. Like the living room, some people have the habit of displaying valuables in their study shelves or office. That well-earned diamond necklace can serve as a motivation for you to work harder.

How do you trick a burglar?

Frequent home invasions happen between the hours of 10 am and 3 pm when the home owners are commonly away from the home. However, 27.6% of all home burglaries, someone is home during a burglary.

Don't: Bring Your Kids/Pets

They may require your undivided attention, forcing you to miss parts of the home. They may accidently open certain drawers, doors or cabinets that the seller asked to remain unviewed. They might not want to spend time looking around a house and could become restless.

Leaving on lights at all times doesn't seem to be an effective way to deter crimes. With a little planning and some home automation equipment, you can use lighting to your advantage and get better peace of mind.

The average home invasion lasts between 8 to 10 minutes, with some as quick as 90 seconds! Burglars have to be quick, which means they can't be picky about what they snatch. Usually, burglars aim to grab cash, electronics, prescription drugs, or jewelry.