Do Burglars Come Back & Do Robbers Return After a Failed Attempt?
Have you been the victim of a break in and worry about whether the burglars will come back? Perhaps heard or seen something that makes you think someone has attempted to break into your home?
People like to say lightning doesn’t strike twice…
To find out for sure, we need to dip into the crime figures and listen to what convicted burglars have to say. Read on for the horrible truth…
Do burglars come back to the same house?
A confused.com survey found that more than one in six (17%) of burglary victims had been targeted three times or more. An incredible 65% of those were in the same property!
If you’re like me, your first thought is “how unlucky“… but it’s NOT bad luck!
Although a thief may share information with his criminal colleagues, it’s more common for him to commit the repeat crimes himself. He has done it once without getting caught and believes he can easily do it again.
Put yourself in his shoes. In his head he can tick off:
- Ability to get in and out undetected
- Knowledge of entry and exit routes
- The floor plan
- Likelihood of replacements for the goods he took last time
The same survey heard the words of an actual burglar: “I recall going back to the same house a few times, the person just wasn’t learning”
Click the picture to learn more about the convenience of Smart Alarm Systems!
Why do burglars come back?
As with most things, it all depends. Some will be inexperienced and smug. They’ll come back a bit braver, armed with the knowledge they’ve already done it once.
On the other hand, the professional thief will do a cost / benefit analysis. If there is anything else he can steal and he’s confident he won’t be caught, he will strike again.
Here are some reasons burglars return to the same house:
- Burglars have no conscience. He doesn’t think or care about the effects a break in will have on you or your family. He simply wants to make easy money from your personal possessions.
- He knows the weak spots in your home. This makes the next break in much simpler and he can draw even less attention.
- Valuables may have been left behind the first time. He now has a list in his head of what you have. He also knows where your hiding places are so he can find them faster.
- There may now be a buyer for any items that he spotted but didn’t take during the first burglary. He can now plan to have the right tools or means to transport them away.
- He knows you don’t expect to be robbed again so quickly. He’s relying on you thinking you’ve had your quota of bad luck!
Even if he’s not confident enough to break into your house again… another target may have been lined up. If they noticed a shed or summer house, a return visit has likely been scheduled in! Your fishing tackle, sports goods and garden equipment are also valuable!
Will a burglar return after a failed attempt?
If a burglar fails at his first attempt, there’s reason to believe he may return with a better action plan. The first attempt is almost a trial run. Next time he’ll change his plan to increase his chances.
Some things he can now plan for:
- He backed off when he noticed your dummy alarm / CCTV system. He’ll be back when he learns it’s a fake and your home is actually unprotected. The same goes for old, neglected alarms that are unlikely to be turned on or work at all.
- He was disturbed. Perhaps a neighbour’s car pulled up or school kids appeared as he was about to strike. He makes a note and saves his plans for another time, another day.
- Your door or windows were more secure than he expected. He’s still had a good look inside and next time he’ll bring the right tool for the job.
- You’d changed your routine that day and the house wasn’t empty after all. He’ll just spend a bit more time watching your comings and goings before having another crack.
A return trip probably won’t faze him. After all, it’s an occupational hazard for a burglar to come back.
The two most effective burglar deterrents
A Micromark surveyfound:
“94% of people feel home security is important, yet 55% of people surveyed did not have an alarm or CCTV, despite the fact that burglars say these are two of the most effective deterrents.”
Doesn’t that seem crazy when you see it in black and white? We know, from the horse’s mouth, what works to keep burglars from breaking in but 55% of people don’t have it!
Whether you have been burgled before or not, you can’t take chances with the safety of your family.
Falcon don’t do “out of the box” solutions. We take time to guide you through the options so you get the home security that best suits you. We are SSAIB accredited so you can trust us to provide the very best service and equipment.
The first step is a home security survey. Because nice people don’t think like thieves! With our years of skill and experience we can:
- Highlight areas of your home and garden that burglars could target
- Show you the best ways to deter them and stay protected
Keep burglars at bay!
For your FREE, no obligation home survey simply fill in your details in the form below. One of our friendly, professional team will get back to you to arrange a convenient appointment.
