A lot of burglaries can be prevented.  Most are commiitted by opportunist thieves and in two burglaries out of ten the thief does not have to force his way in because a door or window has been left open.  Simple precautions like locked windows or security deadlocks on doors do work.  The following are a few suggestions on how to improve the security in your home.

• Burglar alarms - If your possessions are worth a lot of money, you should consider a burglar alarm.  Ranging from inexpensive DIY kits to sophisticated systems there are scores of burglar alarms on the market.  For advice on reputable companies contact Geoff Butler, Crime Reduction Officer, at Braintree Police Station on 01376 551312.
  
  
• Doors - If your front and back doors are not strong and safe, neither is your home.  First of all, make sure the doors themselves are of strong, solid core construction, 44mm thick.  Glass panels are especially vulnerable.  Fit back and front doors with a five-lever mortice deadlock, to BS3621 or equivalent (seek advice from a local master locksmith).  A deadlock can only be opened with a key, so a thief cannot smash a nearby glass panel to open the door from the inside.  If the thief enters the house through a window they can't carry your belongings out through the door.  If you have a PVC door, have a door chain fitted.
  
  
• Doors - DIY shops sell inexpensive key-operated locks to fit all kinds of windows.  If you are a tenant you may be able to get the council or your landlord to have them fitted for you.  A lock forces the thief to break the glass and risk attracting attention.  Secure the most vulnerable windows first - ground floor windows and windows which cannot be seen from the street and windows which can be reached from a drainpipe or a flat roof.  If you are getting new glass for your windows, consider laminated glass - a thief will find it hard to break.  As a last resort think about security grilles for your windows.