The 111 Files: Lax attitude towards home security

Some intrusions even occur when the occupant is at home. Photo / File

Research has found that complacent New Zealanders are not following basic steps to prevent burglary.

As part of the inaugural Secure Homes Report, ADT surveyed 1047 homeowners and renters in both metropolitan and regional areas of New Zealand.

The research found one in three respondents had been subject to a break-in, with 17 per cent of these intrusions happening while someone was at home. Eleven per cent of those affected by burglary have experienced more than one break-in at their current residence.

Nearly 10 per cent of break-ins occurred by way of unforced window entry, where the window or door had been left ajar or unlocked highlighting the need for New Zealanders to be more vigilant about securing their home.

"Experiencing a break-in can be frightening and emotional for any homeowner or tenant and victims are known to report feelings of insecurity, violation and anger," Ben Clement from ADT Security said.

"Those affected also have to bear the cost of replacing stolen items and fixing breakages.

"The research results indicate that New Zealanders are making it easy for burglars to break into their homes.

"One in five leaves home without locking up, 18 per cent go to bed without securing windows and doors and 26 per cent of people hide their spare keys outside for tradespeople, cleaners or family members. This level of complacency is concerning."

Householders are encouraged to carry out a security assessment of their property and consider a monitored alarm system to better protect themselves from burglary and other crimes.

"A good approach is to think like a thief. Walk around your property and identify where it is vulnerable. Once you identify your weak spots you can look at ways of reinforcing them.

Home security tips

-Locks on doors and windows should always be the first line of defence.

-Don't leave packaging of new appliances on the footpath in front of your house. This just advertises that you have new goods worth stealing. Instead tear up the box and put it in the recycling.

-If your home has a shed or garage, ensure it is properly secured - not only could items be stolen, but items in the shed or garage can be used to help break into your property.

-Ensure spare keys aren't hidden in obvious places. Thieves know to look in mailboxes, under door mats and above doorways for keys. Don't make it easy for them to enter your home.

-With apartments or multi-storey homes, be aware of locking doors and windows, as burglars can scale exterior walls.

-A monitored home alarm is one of the most effective security measures. It's possible to isolate certain zones of the home to be monitored, so that alarms can be activated even when the home is occupied.