UK police release symbols burglars mark on houses to communicate their next break in
CORRECTION (15 August 2017): The symbols have been confirmed by police to be 'innocent and explainable', reports the BBC.
They're actually made by utility firms to show the location of live power lines, flammable material, water, drains or a proposed excavation routes.
ORIGINAL STORY (11 August 2017): During the summer months, especially throughout the school holidays, a lot of us will leave our homes to go on holiday. It's a lovely time of year but it can leave our properties more at risk of burglary while they are left unoccupied.
To get you more clued up about property safety, the police have revealed that burglars are using signs and symbols to mark homes before breaking in. The criminals may draw the marks on doors, walls, and even bins, outside your property.
The point of the secret code is to enable burglars to communicate with each other about which properties are easy targets or, contrastingly, too risky.
The signs were revealed by Lanarkshire Police Division in 2015 and shared on social media so that members of the public could be more aware about home security. Now, they have been resurfaced to serve as a reminder.
The meanings behind the symbols include 'alarmed house', 'previously burgled', 'good target', 'vulnerable occupant' and 'too risky'.
Take a look at all of the housebreaker code here:
'These markings are usually found on the property itself, but have also been detected on pavements, curbs and roads close by,' experts from Yale, the home security specialists, told Express.co.uk.
'White stones and advertising stickers attached to bins with fake locksmith contact details have also been used as a way of marking vulnerable properties.'
Burglar Codes. We were passed this image by a member. Look on your street or others. Inform the Police. pic.twitter.com/7o1RYMNW8B
- GMB Pro Drivers (@GMBProDrivers) February 13, 2015
Tips: How to keep your home safe
1. Use the WIDE principle. Homes that do are apparently 49 times more protected than those that don't (Tseloni 2014).
Window locks on every window – possible two on older window frames.
Interior lights left on a timer when you're away.
Double or dead bolts fitted on doors including conservatories and garages.
Exterior lights on a sensor.
2. Make your home look occupied while you're away by:
Asking a neighbour to remove post from your doorstep and letterbox.
Consider putting your TV on a timer during the evenings.
Ask a neighbour to park on your driveway if you have taken your only car.
Install solar powered lights (£9.89, Amazon) at the front of your house. This way, it will look like someone inside the house has turned them on in the evening.
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