Protect yourself against doorstep crime with these simple steps!

Published 3.11.2017 in the Blog.

Why would criminals bother breaking into your home when they can just knock and be invited in? Distraction crimes and doorstep scams are used by criminals as a way of gaining access to your home.

Those attempting to gain unauthorised entry will come up with various distraction techniques. From bogus officials to bogus traders, the instigators of doorstep crime can come in many disguises.

Bogus callers trick their way into homes to steal money and valuables. Others will force their way in by waiting until the door is opened allowing them to barge their way into the property.

So how do you stop this happening to you? There are many simple and affordable home security upgrades you can make to help protect yourself from doorstep crime.

5 top tips when opening your door

1. Ask who the caller is without opening your door

2. Use a Door Viewer

Install a door viewer so you can check who has knocked on your door before unlocking your door and potentially leaving yourself and home vulnerable to attack.

3. Check ID

Don’t be fooled by bogus tradesman and officials! Ask the caller to pass their ID through the identity card entry slot so that you can check their credentials. By law all tradespeople have to carry a form of identification. Simply lift up the latch on the inside to allow the caller to pass their ID through. Call the company they are representing if you are still unsure if the caller is genuine or not.

4. Install a High Security Door Chain

The protection of a high security door chain not only means you can speak to a caller through the door, but it makes it difficult for criminals to barge through the door as soon as it’s unlocked. Make sure the door chain has a high breaking force, and if possible has individually welded links for additional strength.