Which houses do burglars avoid? (2023)

What houses get robbed the most?

There are simply too many potential ways to be seen. But townhomes, houses in the middle of the block, or houses in a cul-de-sac are much better targets (with these home security systems, you can stay safe.) This is especially true if your property backs up to a forest, open lot, or another unguarded area.

They might look for a home with an easy getaway to a major thoroughfare, but they also like homes on the outskirts of neighbourhoods where they have less chance of being seen by neighbours. Thieves may also prioritize a home that has an entrance within easy access of an alley or street.

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.

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.

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.

Do lights keep burglars away?

So do outdoor lights deter crime? They can, but only for a small portion of potential burglaries. Using this information, there are a few ways you can use lighting as part of your crime prevention strategy.

Some research has also found corner homes are more vulnerable to burglaries because they are more accessible, have fewer neighbors, and can be inconspicuously scoped out as prospective targets from corner traffic lights or stop signs.

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).

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.

Choosing the best place to install your safe may mean compromising convenience for protecting your safe and its contents from damage. You should choose an area without a lot of humidity, heat, or traffic: a closet, home office, or a bedroom other than the master bedroom may be your best bet.

What makes a house attractive to burglars?

Doors and windows with vulnerable locks are a common access point for burglars. If loosening or bypassing them is simple, then it makes getting inside easy. Garage doors and pet doors are both open passages where burglars can get through quickly, too. Quick departure is another plus for burglars.

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.

In fact, 73% of burglars gain entry to a home by a door kick in. One or two strong kicks to a door will crack the frame allowing burglars entry to your home. Even with an alarm, police response time can be 20 minutes or longer—more than enough time for a burglar to get what they want.

Thieves Tend to Break In Between 10 AM and 3 PM

Everything You Should Know, Hollywood simply has it wrong. There will always be exceptions. Some burglars do choose to break in at night, so it's a good idea to have security measures no matter the time.

What are the odds of your house being burgled? The FBI crime report expects one in every 36 homes in the US to experience a burglary.

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)

Security cameras don't attract burglars to your property; but at the same time, they probably won't keep burglars away from your property. More than likely, your security camera will go unnoticed by burglars. Here's the bottom line: security cameras, for the most part, aren't designed to deter crime.

Though the rain won't keep crime away, the cold might, explained Cohn, an expert in weather and crime. “There has been a ton of research on weather and crime … and the only variable that consistently shows a relationship is temperature. Not rain, not snow, not humidity,” she said. As temperatures rise, so does crime.

Keep your home looking lived-in when you're away. Leave lights on timers when you're away — but choose timers that have random settings so thieves can't detect a pattern. If you'll be away for a short time, leave a radio or TV on, turned up loud enough that it might be heard outdoors.

Do most burglars know their victims?

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.

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.

Fortunately, unlike movies, most burglars are looking to steal your belongings, not harm you. It's still pretty terrifying, though, to wake up in the middle of the night and realize someone else is in your house—and one can't exactly read a burglar's mind or know his or her intentions.

When you're home at night. This is a good time to leave the porch light on. It alerts burglars to your presence, particularly if indoor lights are on too. The porch light also acts as a spotlight on the front door.

"Research shows that 'occupancy cues' like dogs are major deterrents in attempts to burglarize homes," says K. Campbell, a certified protection professional. "In fact, the research reveals that dogs of any size are effective.

While most burglars gain entry through doors, the second most common area susceptible to break-ins is first-floor windows. Second-floor windows are more difficult to reach and far less likely to be the source of a criminal's attack. Fortunately, you have choices on how to prevent break-ins through your windows.

There are a number of different types of robbery, but in general they all share certain common traits and are specific types of larceny. Two of the most common forms of robbery are armed and unarmed, which may both be involved in another specific form — bank robbery.

New Mexico has the highest burglary rate with 767.8 burglaries per 100,000 people. There are almost three burglaries every minute in the US.

The type of person mostly targeted was males aged between 45–54, who work in a managerial/professional role. 63 per cent of properties burgled in the year ending March 2018 had no or less than basic home security.

Burglars work hard to identify easy targets. You could say it's their full time job to find houses worth breaking into. Many burglars will stake out a home for days to identify patterns in how people come and go. And they are especially interested in homes without dogs, alarm systems, and security cameras.

What time are you most likely to be robbed?

Knowing when most burglaries occur is powerful information. The most common times for break-ins occur between 10 am and 3 pm. Rather than being guarded by night, most burglars choose the daytime to attempt a break-in, targeting homes when they believe no one will be present.

Thieves Tend to Break In Between 10 AM and 3 PM

Everything You Should Know, Hollywood simply has it wrong. There will always be exceptions. Some burglars do choose to break in at night, so it's a good idea to have security measures no matter the time.

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)

Some research has also found corner homes are more vulnerable to burglaries because they are more accessible, have fewer neighbors, and can be inconspicuously scoped out as prospective targets from corner traffic lights or stop signs.