An understanding of how a burglar thinks and operates could help you take the necessary steps to prevent your home from being targeted.

Who am I?

• I can be male or female and I take advantage of easy targets or tempting opportunities
• I burgle houses day and night - especially when I can see no one's home or the risk of being seen or caught is low
• I may operate alone or with other people
• I may be on foot or could use a vehicle to check out your neighbourhood
• I often burgle one or more nearby houses in the neighbourhood
• I generally don't stray too far from my home. I like familiar territory
• I won't burgle too close to home in case someone recognises me
• I may look out of place in your neighbourhood, but few people take note of my car number
• plate or ring the Police to report suspicious activity

Why do I pick your place?

• I like houses where it looks like no one's home - lights aren't on at night, curtains may be closed during the day, or mail and newspapers have been left to accumulate in the letterbox
• I like houses where a window or door is left open or unsecured
• I like houses where people can't see what I'm doing from the street, where trees and shrubs may block the view
• I like houses that have alleyways running beside them or back onto parks, reserves or green belts
• I like houses where items of value are left outside overnight, like a bike
• I like houses where the garage door is open, I can see your car isn't there and there's something valuable inside, like a lawnmower
• I like houses I've been to before. I know the layout, what's in them and how to get out.
• If I've burgled a house once, it's likely I'll try it again when valuable items have been replaced

How do I operate?

• I'm usually looking for cash or small, valuable items I can quickly convert into cash such as jewellery, electronic and portable digital equipment
• Often I'm stealing to order and may have a car nearby to help with my 'get away'
• I usually sell stolen property to people who like to buy things cheaply without asking questions
• I may go onto a property and knock on the door to see if anyone is home
• If someone is home, I normally make up an excuse for being there. For example, "I'm looking for my dog or a nearby street or is so and so in?"
• I may try to make you leave me on my own at your open front door by making a request such as to use a phone book you go and get
• I try to get in and out of your home as quickly and quietly as possible
• Sometimes I hide your property nearby and come and get it later

What don't I like?

• Houses with alarms
• Houses with security lighting
• Neighbours who support each other, talk to each other and take an interest in what's going on around them, particularly people they don't know or haven't seen before
• Neighbours who report suspicious activity to Police and are able to give good descriptions of who and what they've seen
• Dogs or guard dog signs on fences and gates
• Houses with good locks on doors, windows and other entry points
• A vehicle in the driveway
• Lights on or TV or radio left on
• People who take the time to mark valuable property with identification details and keep a written description or photographic record in a safe place for future reference