An ex burglar is warning people about five common mistakes they might make when leaving the house that can turn a property into a target for thieves.
Lennox Rodgers spent 21 years in prison and is now a security expert who gives property owners tips on how to keep their homes safe from criminals. The former thief has predicted that the cost of living crisis will drive up the number of burglaries across Britain as criminals look for easy ways to make some extra cash.
Speaking to The Sun, he said: “There's crazy people out there, very desperate people, especially with the cost of living. I think that crime has gone up because people need to survive and they're stealing what they can.” He is urging people to be smart when it comes to home safety and has warned that there are five common mistakes that people make when leaving their home.
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1. Be careful what you say in the pub...
Lennox says the most common mistake people make when going away is telling people. "Pubs are a great place to hang around in and get chatting with people because after a few drinks, some people get a bit careless with what they're saying," he says.
2. ...and what you post on social media
Another thing to avoid is posting snaps of your holiday on social media. "Burglars know that the property where they live is empty. It's a very easy trap that people fall into," Lennox says.
3. Be smart when stashing your valuables
Stashing your cash under the mattress is not a smart move. Criminals know all the best places to search, according to Lennox.
To hide your valuables properly when away, you need to get creative. “There are fake cans of food and beans which you can put jewellery and money in," he says. “It looks like a tin of beans, but actually it's like a little piggy bank. I think it's quite useful!"
4. The problem with video doorbells
Security systems and video doorbells are not enough to deter thieves, according to Lennox. “The sad thing is that many people have reported that they’ve shown their security footage to the police and still nothing was done."
He says thieves are purposefully targetting areas with low prosecution rates.
5. Don't let the heat catch you out
People tend to be a bit more lax with their security when it is hot outside. “They're falling asleep with the doors or windows open because the hot weather makes you sleepy," Lennox says.
If you are going away, make sure that any windows left open in the hot weather are firmly shut - and take your car keys with you. They're safer with you than they are back home.
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