Anti-burglar help at hand

By CATHERINE MASTERS

If you are on a low income and you have been burgled more than once, deadlocks and other security items can be paid for under a new Victim Support scheme.

Chief executive Steve Caldwell says overseas and anecdotal evidence suggests low-income houses are being hit more often as wealthier homeowners install the latest security systems.

Once the house has been hit the first time it is likely to be burgled again by the same thieves within weeks.

"It's usually in a very short time. Some people say two weeks, some people say six weeks, and basically they wait for the insurance company to pay out, then they go and do it again."

Sometimes burglars will return several times, says Mr Caldwell.

They also tend not to stray too far from home and most burglaries are opportunistic.

The new scheme, called Target Hardening, is only days away from being launched and is aimed at repeat burglary victims who are community services card-holders. It is designed to make the property harder to burgle.

"What it does is it will pay for locks to be installed - deadlocks on doors, window stays to be put in, security lights," Mr Caldwell says.

"That's if you have been burgled twice, and you can apply for full funding to get these things done."

Victim Support will foot the bill thanks to a $280,000 grant from the Government as part of its commitment to reducing burglary.

The scheme goes further than just providing locks. It might involve cutting down a tree if it is hiding the front door or wherever the burglars are getting in.

"So we can be quite innovative in what we are doing here to ensure the response is an appropriate one."

If the house is burgled again - for the third time or more - then money can be provided for an alarm.

Education is also a part of the scheme and a burglary kit giving basic advice on how to make the house more secure will be provided.

Mr Caldwell says low-income homes are burgled a lot, especially as the wealthy go into cluster housing and install fancy alarms.

As homes become harder to burgle thieves shift to other areas - Mr Caldwell's only concern about the Target Hardening scheme.

"But I guess if more and more people have difficult properties to burgle then it will reduce the opportunities for carrying out burglaries."

To qualify for the assistance you must have been burgled more than once - so make sure you report the first burglary to the police.



Victim Support contacts all victims of burglary, no matter how small, as soon as possible after the break-in or theft.

"It's one of those times we take very seriously because of the emotional trauma - their personal space has been invaded; their safe haven, if you like.

"The thing that usually comes out most of all is, 'They've gone through my drawers. All the things I held personal and private to me have been invaded'," says Mr Caldwell.

Frustration and anger at losing possessions are other emotions to be dealt with, especially if possessions have been wantonly destroyed - vandalism is not uncommon.

"A lot of people are insured so the financial loss is usually minimal, but it's usually the hassle of going about and dealing with insurance companies and putting forward claims, then having to replace the objects you have lost as well."

* To contact a Victim Support office near you, call 0800 VICTIM (0800-842-846). This is a 24-hour service.

Play it safe


* If you must hide a key, make sure it really is not obvious.

* Get to know your neighbours. Know their movements and let them know yours.

* Put security codes on objects.

* Arrange for newspapers and mail to be collected if you are away.

* Leave curtains open - the idea is to make your house look lived-in.

* Use timers to turn lights and radios on.

* Make sure locks are effective - deadlocks, for example, mean burglars may be able to get in through a window but cannot take goods out through the front door.

* Do not leave break-in equipment lying around outside - a spade in the garden, a hammer. Intruders could use these as weapons.

* Get good security lighting.

* Make sure your landscaping does not create blind spots or hiding places.

* Plant thorny plants that are hard to get past in areas of vulnerable access. If a window is hidden, a climbing rose may deter an intruder.

* Start up a neighbourhood support scheme.

Taking these steps after a burglary will help you to feel safe again. Taking them before - maybe the burglars will pass your house by.