Sunday, November 27, 2011

A prolific burglar's guide to householders.

Burglar produced checklist to help householders

A prolific thief jailed for a string of burglaries has handed police a checklist of steps that householders should take if they want to avoid being targeted.


Leon Reid Photo: Stian Alexander
By John-Paul Ford Rojas
3:24PM GMT 25 Nov 2011
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Pebbled patios, dog warning signs, alarms and CCTV – even if fake – are all likely to deter intruders, according to Leon Reid.
Reid, who handed the note to police before being jailed for five years, suggested that his checklist should be added to crime prevention leaflets.

Police believe the burglar, of New Cross, south London, has raided at least 70 homes – never once forcing entry – since 2006. He was arrested after his DNA was linked to two burglaries in south London last month.
The 32-year-old was sentenced on Wednesday at Woolwich Crown Court after admitting one burglary and asking for 29 others to be taken into account.

The list, sent to Lewisham police before he was jailed, includes a range of advice – setting out why burglars target homes and what householders should do to avoid being burgled.

Reid picked out pebbles or shingled patios - which make it noisy when approaching a house as the crook's feet crunch on the pebbles.

He also advised that a dog or even just a sign warning of a dog. Burglars would not risk entry, even if there was a “hint” of a dog .

Alarms, even if fake, would also act as a deterrent. Reid said he never raided a home with an alarm.

He also suggested homes should be well lit, telling police that if lights were on he avoided the home.

Motion sensor lighting which goes on as soon as anyone walks close by was also advised, as well as a CCTV camera. Even if just a “dummy” this would normally be enough to make burglars avoid a target, Reid suggested.
Fencing on gates and anti-climb paint were also advised, as they would make it difficult and “messy” for a crook to gain access

Detective Chief Inspector Paul Astbury said Reid, of New Cross, south London, sent the letter to police ahead of his court appearance and that his list "spoke volumes" about householders should protect their dwellings.

He said: "What is compelling about Reid's offending is that during all of his 70-plus offences dating back to 2006 he has never forced entry.

"He entered through open windows and doors or premises that did not have one of his list of 'deterrents'.

"It speaks volumes really and should make people ask themselves how secure their home is."

He added: "We will use the information he had provided us to reiterate the need for people to protect their homes."

Burglary victim Tom Ellis-Scott, 34, of Streatham, south London, said he was burgled four years ago, adding: "It may seem like simple advice, but when it comes down to it, this is from the point of view of a crook so is worth heeding.

"I hadn't thought about the effect pebbles might have on deterring burglars and that is something that is well worth knowing."
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telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/8915880/Burglar-produced-checklist-to-help-householders.html

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