Auckland residents threatened by 140 break-ins per week

Auckland residents threatened by 140 break-ins per week

ADT Security warns against complacency and over-sharing on social networking sites

Auckland, NEW ZEALAND, 12 August 2013: Burglary affects 140 properties per week in the Auckland City District, that’s 20 break-ins per day in New Zealand’s largest city Auckland City District crime statistics 2012 http://www.police.govt.nz/sites/default/files/resources/crime-statistics/03-auckland-city-official-crime-stats-2012.pdf.

According to ADT Security Managing Director Peter Fermor while burglary rates across New Zealand have decreased over the last year, householders should not become complacent about protecting their homes and their loved ones.

“Even in supposedly safe areas, it is important for homeowners to take the necessary precautions to protect their homes and families from intruders”, says Fermor. “Obviously some houses will be more tempting to thieves than others; those located in quiet streets, under heavy foliage, with poor lighting or without a security system tend to be particularly susceptible. Thieves don’t want to get caught, so they’re more likely to attempt to enter a house without an alarm than a house with one. Carrying out a home security assessment will help identify weak spots and ways to reinforce them.”

Fermor also highlights the potential impact that social media can have on home security. Research by ADT Security in Australia found that nine in ten householders think posting their whereabouts on social media websites presents a threat to home security. “There have been reports of opportunistic crimes occurring due to information posted on social networking sites”, he says. “The reality is that savvy criminals can learn when a home is likely to be vacant through status updates and posts. It’s important to keep your social networks private and perhaps think twice before updating your whereabouts on sites like Facebook or Twitter, particularly when on holidays.”

A burglary can be a frightening experience but never more so than when a break-in occurs with a family member at home. Fermor recommends that if you do experience a burglary while at home, it’s important not to confront the intruder. “If you are unable to escape safely and raise the alarm, go to a room in the house with a lockable door, remain quiet and call the police,” he said.

ADT Security provides the following tips to help keep your home secure:

• a lock should always be the first line of defence but remember a lock is only secure when you can account for every key
• a monitored home alarm is one of the most effective security measures. Alarms can be activated even when the home is occupied; it’s even possible to isolate certain areas of the home to be monitored while sleeping. If you have an alarm in place, ensure it is in working order and has been serviced in the last 12 months
• don’t leave the 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 a recycling bin
• if your home has a shed or garage, ensure it is properly secured
• ensure spare keys are not hidden in obvious places. Thieves always look in mailboxes, under doormats and above doorways for keys. Don’t make it easy for them to enter your home
• with apartments or multi-story homes, ensure external walls and drain pipes are free of any unnecessary attachments or braces to prevent climbing
• when at home, don’t be complacent about leaving windows and doors open. Most break-ins occur when homeowners have presented burglars with an opportunity like an unlocked window
• when away from home, be careful about who you share your whereabouts with. If you’re ‘checking in’ on social media sites, ensure your settings are set to private
• get to know your neighbours. Good neighbours will keep an eye on your property when you are away and will be better able to identify suspicious activity. Strangers may ignore the warning signs.

For further information and advice on how to best protect your home and your family, read the home safety and security tips on the ADT Security website www.adtsecurity.co.nz

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