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The Irish Sun
01-08-2025
- The Irish Sun
I was a burglar – how thieves cunningly scout out your home, why pets HELP crooks & ways to stay safe over summer hols
BLOWTORCHES, letterbox tricks and hijacking estate agent ads - the modern criminal has a toolbox full of ingenious ways to break into your home. Now, with thousands of Brits jetting off on their summer holidays, shameless crooks will be plotting their next targets - but our team of experts and their brilliant insider tips can help you 7 Burglars are finding new ways to get into your property and steal your belongings Credit: Getty 7 Crooks can even use blowtorches to break the locks in people's doors Credit: MEN Media This week, we revealed how masked thieves smashed their way into With the property currently up for sale, it is feared the gang may have checked the layout on a property website ad, with a source telling The Sun: 'The raiders must have known the house was empty." This, according to insiders, is one of a raft of cunning tactics criminals use to plan their break-ins - and it's not just celebrities at risk. To find out how not to fall foul, The Sun has spoken to security experts and former burglars who know the tricks of the trade first-hand. Here, they explain how you can make your home less attractive to burglars - and reveal the innovative ways they're able to make off with our belongings. Don't trust the uniform alone Former gang enforcer Lennox Rodgers committed around 20 burglaries and spent 21 years in and out of prison before going straight. He turned his life around after leaving prison for a final time in 2004 and went on to co-found Lennox, from Greenhithe, Kent, is now a security expert. One of his biggest tips is that you can't always trust a person in uniform. 'We used to call police to a block of flats telling them there was a domestic going on and we thought the husband had a knife,' he says. 'Then while they were heading to the top floor to sort out the fake altercation, our car thieves would break into their vehicles to steal police jackets and other things. 'That way when we broke into a bank or elsewhere the staff would see our uniform and wouldn't pay as much attention because they thought we had a right to be there. 'Using other people's identity to avoid raising suspicion has been going on for decades – we've done it with lots of different uniforms, including overalls.' Hammer gang raid Harry Redknapp's £5m mansion and steal his wife Sandra's jewellery as cops probe theory on how they got in Stealing your car with letterbox trick Security expert Robin Knox, from Edinburgh, explains how criminals can get away with your motor without breaking in. 'Keyless entry cars emit a signal that unlocks the vehicle when you are in a certain range and doesn't need a key to start the ignition,' he says. 'All that criminals need to do is stand by your letterbox and essentially record that signal - by taking a snapshot of the code – which they then play back to get into your car.' Robin advised the best way to avoid this is by getting an RFID blocking case to prevent the signal being sent out. He founded Boundary, an alarm system controlled by an app, in 2018 after being the victim of up to 10 attempted burglaries at both his family home and the businesses he ran. Removing windows... or using the roof In 2020, Robin hired a former burglar to understand how criminals break into people's homes . 'One thing that really struck me was that he would sometimes break into people's homes through the roof,' Robin says. 'He would lift off the tiles and cut a hole and go in through the loft, it just shows the lengths burglars will go to if they want to get in.' Another method was taking out the beading of windows so they didn't have to smash glass. 7 We revealed how Harry Redknapp's Dorset home was targeted by a hammer gang Credit: BNPS 7 There are fears Harry and wife Sandra were targeted after raiders studied their home on a property website Credit: Instagram The reformed criminal, who was a burglar for 12 years, also revealed they often squeeze through tiny spaces – including a bathroom window that's only 30cm tall – to get into your home. To Robin, this highlights the importance of always shutting and locking windows and doors – it's always best to fit anti-snap locks. Why you need to have two front door locks Former burglar turned security expert The TV regular, who starred on the BBC's Beat The Burglar, broke into two houses in his late teens before going straight after nearly being sent to prison. 'If you have just got one lock on your door it's a guaranteed entrance point for the burglar because that cylinder isn't actually a lock, it just holds the door in place,' Michael tells The Sun. 'You should have two locks on your front door and always use the second lock, burglars can lean on your front door and if it moves more than two millimetres they know the second lock is not engaged so they can easily break in.' How to protect your home from burglars Install a home security system : Consider alarms, CCTV cameras, and smart doorbells. Choose systems that allow remote monitoring via smartphone. Secure doors and windows : Ensure all doors and windows have robust locks. Use deadbolts and window locks for added security. Consider installing a peephole or door chain. Improve outdoor lighting : Install motion-sensor lights around your property. Ensure pathways, driveways, and entrances are well-lit. Maintain your garden : Keep hedges and shrubs trimmed to eliminate hiding spots. Store tools and ladders securely to prevent their use in break-ins. Use timers for lights : Set timers to turn lights on and off to give the impression someone is home. Consider using smart plugs to control appliances remotely. Secure garages and sheds : Ensure these areas are locked with strong padlocks. Store valuable items out of sight. Get to know your neighbours : Join or form a neighbourhood watch scheme. Encourage neighbours to keep an eye on each other's properties. Be cautious with social media : Avoid posting holiday plans or location updates online. Ensure privacy settings are secure to limit who can see your posts. Mark valuables with a UV pen : Use a UV pen to mark valuables with your postcode and house number. Register items with a property database for easier recovery if stolen. Consider installing a safe : Use a safe to store important documents and valuable items. Ensure the safe is securely bolted to the floor or wall. Review your home insurance : Check that your home insurance policy is up to date. Ensure it covers the value of your possessions. Conduct regular security checks : Periodically review and update your home security measures. Ensure all systems and locks are in good working order. Never give a virtual tour when selling up In a bid to help to sell homes, estate agents often create a virtual tour of the property – but according to Michael this is one of the worst things you could do. 'It's such an easy crime to commit because you can look inside a property online by using the virtual tour, it's basically like online shopping for criminals,' he explains. 'You can see the layout of someone's home, if they have alarms in their rooms and most importantly the types of items they could steal.' Pets are no threat - and often helpful Often in an attempt to dissuade burglars from breaking in people put up 'Beware of the Dog' signs in their windows – but according to Michael that's no deterrent. 'Most dogs are friendly and come up for fuss, we also know that by having a dog you may not have or set your alarm because you pet is running around the house,' he says. 'People with pets also tend to leave the key in the backdoor or near it which weakens your home security – and if you have a cat flap that could be used to steal keys too.' Be careful what you say... and post online Lennox warns that people should be wary of discussing holiday plans in the pub because if a wannabe criminal is listening they can easily follow a person home and find out their address. Not only that, but he advises against telling friends that you're going away too – as they could inadvertently make others aware that your property is empty. Burglars can lean on your front door and if it moves more than two millimetres they know the second lock is not engaged so they can easily break in Michael explains that this also extends to social media and you should be very cautious about what you post publicly. 'Stop advertising your own property to burglars on Facebook by posting pictures of what you own because all that does is attract the wrong sorts of people,' he says. 'Also do not post that you are going away on holiday because that's asking for trouble, it's best to post those selfies when you get home.' Wheelie bins & plant pots are a gift to thieves 'If you're caught carrying tools to break into someone's home you are classed as going equipped and that's an offence, so most clever burglars won't do that,' Robin says. 'Instead they will use stuff left around your house like ladders in your back garden or your wheelie bin to gain access to break a window or they may break into your shed to look for tools. 'They may also use a heavy item like a big plant pot to break in too or if you have a pile of bricks it's worth clearing them up as you're essentially providing someone with the key to your house." Keep your hedges short & avoid detached houses Robin explains that it's important to establish a security perimeter around your house to make your property less attractive to potential intruders. 'Installing lighting means burglars are easier to spot, having a gravel path means they can be heard and securing gates and sheds is a must," he says. Most dogs are friendly and come up for fuss, we also know that by having a dog you may not have or set your alarm 'Keeping your hedges cut low so burglars can be seen in your garden and keeping tight with your neighbours are also great ways to make your home less appealing.' Lennox attests to this and also claims people living in detached houses or at the end of a road are more at risk because they have 'blind spots'. Your alarm may not be faulty Another trick used by burglars is deliberately setting off house alarms from the outside to encourage the police and homeowner to go to the property. 'That way the police and the owner will show up, see there is no sign of a break in and leave,' Lennox explains. 'Shortly after we would return and steal whatever we wanted. If the alarm went off again most people would just assume their alarm was faulty.' Rainy days are best for burglaries Britain's bad weather can also provide perfect opportunities for burglars, Lennox claims. 'When I was a criminal we would take advantage of the bad weather because wind, rain, snow and fog can obscure security cameras,' he says. 'People are also less vigilant when it's foggy or windy and are not looking out the window and when they hear a sound they may think it's a wheelie bin falling over so don't call the police. 7 Lennox Rodgers is a former burglar and gang member turned security expert 7 Robin Knox has suffered up to 10 burglaries in his lifetime and founded home security app Boundary 7 Michael Fraser appeared on BBC's Beat The Burglar, This Morning and other shows
Time of India
18-06-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Premier League: Champions Liverpool to face Bournemouth in season opener; Man Utd host Arsenal on opening week
Liverpool won the Premier League title in 2024/25. (Reuters) Liverpool will kick off their Premier League title defence at home to Bournemouth on Friday, August 15 while Arsenal head to Manchester United in a blockbuster clash on the opening weekend. Arne Slot's champions have the chance to secure the first points of the new season at Anfield as they launch the 2025/26 campaign, bidding for a record 21st English top-flight crown. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Following the Bournemouth game Liverpool have tricky fixtures at Newcastle and at home to Mikel Arteta's Arsenal, runners-up for the past three seasons. Thomas Frank's first match as Tottenham boss will come on August 16 at home against newly promoted Burnley, while Sunderland make their return to the Premier League against West Ham. The third newcomers, Leeds, play Everton on Monday, August 18. Pep Guardiola's Manchester City, who ended last season empty-handed, will be desperate to get off to a winning start against Wolves at Molineux. Everton fans will have to wait until the second round of fixtures for their first league game at their new Hill Dickinson Stadium, when they will face Brighton. Liverpool dominated the Premier League last season, romping to a record-equalling 20th title with four games to spare in Slot's first season in charge. They have already strengthened their squad. Liverpool have agreed a club-record deal, reportedly worth up to £116 million ($156 million) to sign Florian Wirtz along with his Bayer Leverkusen teammate Jeremie Frimpong. A deal for Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez is understood to be well-advanced. Ruben Amorim's Manchester United, who will be desperate to hit the ground running after a terrible season, have been handed a tough test with a home game against Arsenal on August 17. United finished 15th in the league, their lowest position since they were relegated in the 1973/74 season, and lost in the Europa League final against Tottenham. Amorim has started a squad rebuild, bringing in Matheus Cunha from Wolves. The season consists of 380 games over 33 weekends and five midweek rounds. It concludes on May 24 with matches including Manchester City against Aston Villa. The Premier League said the start date "allows for the maximum player rest time available -- 83 clear days -- from the end of the 2024/25 season". The World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States begins on June 11, 2026. Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
Time of India
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Too soon or perfect timing? Experts weigh in on Shubman Gill's elevation as India Test captain
Shubman Gill MUMBAI: Shubman Gill's elevation to the Test captaincy may have taken a few by surprise, but TOI can confirm it was a project long in the making by India's selectors. In fact, during India's triumphant run in the T20 World Cup in June last year in the USA and West Indies, when he was not even part of the squad but a travelling reserve, a source had told this paper that 'Gill was being looked at as a future India captain'. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! The first indication came immediately after that tournament, when he was appointed captain for the five-match T20I series in Zimbabwe in July, which India won 4-1. India's head coach at the time, Rahul Dravid, was on board with the decision to elevate Gill. Who's that IPL player? Giving a thumbs-up to the decision to hand the Test captaincy to the 25-year-old, who hails from Fazilka in Punjab, former India pacer and ex-national selector Salil Ankola told TOI, 'He's the best choice for India's Test captaincy because he's young, dynamic, and needs that confidence to keep going. He's got the right frame of mind. However, I feel he should've been given the Test captaincy earlier, when Rohit and Virat were still part of the team. ' Shubman Gill story: From a remote village near the border to India's Test captain 'The way Shubman has adapted to the leadership role in GT has been a revelation, and it was obvious he was destined for bigger responsibilities,' said Arvinder Singh Lovely, CEO of Gujarat Titans. Offering a guarded perspective on the bold call, former India skipper Dilip Vengsarkar said, 'Since they've taken this decision, they clearly believe in Gill's leadership abilities and that it's the right time to groom him for the mantle of captaincy. We'll have to wait and see how things unfold in England. As a batsman, he's top-class and has been around for a while.' For someone who first spotted Gill way back in 2011, when the batter was just 12, former India seamer Karsan Ghavri isn't so sure about this call. 'Leading the Test team is a different cup of tea compared to leading GT. There'll be tremendous pressure on him as a batsman and added responsibility as a captain. How he handles it remains to be seen. He'll be leading a very young, inexperienced team. To beat England will be a herculean task,' Ghavri said. India Test squad for England tour: Shubman Gill to lead, Rishabh Pant his deputy SHUBMAN GILL AS CAPTAIN Captained in 5 T20Is vs Zimbabwe in July 2024. India won the series 4-1. Has captained in five first-class matches, winning 1, drawing 2 and losing 2. Led 3 games in the Duleep Trophy, in 2019-20 (drawn two) and 2024-25 (lost one). Also led India 'A' vs S Africa 'A' in Karyavattom in 2019, winning by 7 wickets. Led Punjab in 1 Ranji match vs Karnataka in Jan 2025 (lost). In the IPL, he has led Gujarat Titans 25 times, winning 14 & losing 11 (56% wins). Stats: Rajesh Kumar Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.
Time of India
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Big boost for RCB: Josh Hazlewood returns ahead of IPL 2025 playoffs
Josh Hazlewood (Pic credit: RCB) NEW DELHI: Australia pacer Josh Hazlewood has rejoined the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) squad ahead of the crucial IPL 2025 playoffs, providing a timely boost to the franchise's hopes of clinching their maiden title. The experienced fast bowler arrived in Lucknow on Sunday morning, much to the relief of RCB fans who had been anxiously awaiting his return. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Hazlewood's availability had remained uncertain for weeks, with earlier reports suggesting he might skip the remainder of the IPL to focus on the upcoming World Test Championship (WTC) final between Australia and South Africa at Lord's. A shoulder niggle had also kept the pacer out of action, forcing him to miss RCB's key fixture against Chennai Super Kings before the tournament was paused. Who's that IPL player? However, all speculation was put to rest as RCB's official social media handle confirmed his arrival with the post: 'He's here. Welcome back, Josh Reginald Hazlewood!' alongside videos of the bowler landing and greeting the squad. 'Yeah obviously, it's great to be back. Made the most of the last week in Brisbane and bowled quite a few overs. Everything is feeling very good. Hopefully, will get the ball rolling. Looking forward to practice,' Hazlewood said in a video shared by RCB. 'Better now than in playoffs': Phil Salt reflects on RCB's first away loss in IPL 2025 Hazlewood's presence will significantly strengthen RCB's pace attack in the knockout stage, as the team looks to end their long wait for an IPL trophy. Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Rift between coaches, women boxers impacts national camp
NEW DELHI: A discord between coaches and the country's leading women boxers has disrupted practice sessions at the ongoing national camp at NIS, Patiala. The Boxing Federation of India (BFI) is working on borrowed time, having exceeded its electoral timeline after failing to finish the process within the required period. Consequently, the ministry suspended direct funding to the federation and instead channelled funds directly to the Sports Authority of India (SAI)-operated NIS centre to ensure uninterrupted operation of the national camp for women boxers. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! However, TOI has learnt that BFI's selection of coaches to manage the camp hasn't gone down well with the campers. Several boxers have expressed concerns about the 'domineering, ill-tempered and controlling behaviour' of support staff. The boxers have expressed dissatisfaction with a particular senior coach's training methodology, citing his instructions and excessive discussions instead of essential sparring sessions and fitness routines. A screenshot of a whatsapp chat, accessed by TOI, reveals that support staff members have also raised concerns about this specific coach. It's been alleged that whilst boxers attend four-hour morning training sessions daily, certain federationappointed coaches dedicate insufficient time to actual training and sparring activities. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo The federation has formed several sub committees to ensure the smooth functioning and timely execution of tasks assigned to it by the sport's global governing body – World Boxing. But the selection and coaching committee hasn't even met once since its formation. Ironically, one of the members appointed as a senior coach last coached a national team 12 years ago. 'Some federation-appointed coaches only dictate their terms. They are neither good with their training methods nor scheduling. They come and indulge in lengthy speeches. The training has been affected badly. After the morning session, the boxers are called for another practice session for six hours from 2 pm to 8pm every day, with little time devoted to serious training,' alleged a female camper. 'Recently, some coaches picked up a fight amongst themselves leading to heated arguments. All this is not good for Indian boxing and some serious measures need to be taken to improve the condition of the national camp,' the boxer added. When contacted, a BFI official assured to look into the matter and hold discussions with the coaches and boxers. The issue has also been brought to the knowledge of sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya and he has promised to look into it and seek a report from the federation. The camp has 62 female boxers, with one head coach, eight other coaches and remaining support staff personnel. The BFI, at present, is governed by a six-member committee appointed by World Boxing, with current president Ajay Singh acting as its chairman. Singh, who is pursuing a third term at the helm of the federation, has abstained from holding elections amid concerns that a majority of state associations may not support him. The elections were originally scheduled for Feb 2 but were rescheduled for March 28 on Himachal Pradesh high court's order and have since been postponed indefinitely. Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.
