'I was a burglar – there are three things you should do if intruder breaks in'

Daily Mirror

4 days ago

Michael Fraser, an burglar turned security consultant who appeared on Beat The Burglar, has several vital rules to keep in mind if you ever find yourself in such a worrying predicament
A reformed burglar has shared three crucial things you should do immediately if an intruder breaks into your home. Michael Fraser, an ex-crook turned security consultant who appeared on the BBC's Beat The Burglar, gave several rules to keep in mind if you ever find yourself in such a worrying predicament.
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Much of his advice focused on avoiding contact with intruders, noting that it's usually impossible to know who the would-be thieves are. Indeed, they could be "armed" or "high on drugs", adding a further layer of danger and unpredictability.
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Michael also highlighted the importance of taking some action, however, urging people not to simply "lie there terrified". In fact, it seems that you should be making as much noise as you possibly can.
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He wrote in the Mail: "These days, I'm a security consultant, advising people how to outwit the criminals. And the first, most important rule I teach is this: Never confront burglars."
Michael continued: "They could be armed. They could be high on drugs. You don't know anything about them, except that they are in your home. And you want them out.
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"But don't just lie there terrified, praying that they won't come into your bedroom. You need to do three things as quickly as possible."
His first piece of advice was to slam your bedroom door shut and barricade it while making as much noise as possible. Next, you should start screaming to attract the attention of people who could help you.
Michael advised us to try and wake up our neighbours, even break a window if we "dare", the point being that you create such a racket that everyone in the vicinity "will think you're being murdered".
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Unsurprisingly, the third tip is to call the police on 999. He noted that by this point, your neighbours will likely be ringing them themselves, but you shouldn't leave it to chance.
Michael emphasised that "no burglar" will "hang around", and, in fact, they will likely have left and may have even dropped whatever they attempted to steal, but this is only if you're "lucky".
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On the official police website, it notes the importance of deterrence, highlighting that burglars will use various ways to avoid being noticed, as the last thing they want is to be seen or heard by neighbours or passers-by.
It advised people to avoid erecting high fences on the front of their properties and instead recommends those which are about one-metre high to enable a clear view and to not offer cover for would-be intruders.
Instead, it suggested high fencing at the rear and sides of the property; a trellis, thorny plants, or an anti-climb topping to place atop fences and gates; prickly shrubs on your boundaries; and gravel driveways so you can hear people approaching.
Other measures include CCTV, alarms, lighting and being aware of 'distraction burglary', whereby criminals pretend to be someone they're not to access your home.
You can learn more about burglary deterrence on the website here.