What to do if intruder breaks in at night?

If someone does break in while you are home, you should immediately retreat, call the police (if possible) and not confront the intruder. If you do choose to use a weapon on the intruder, you can find yourself on the wrong side of the law.

slatergordon.com.au - Break in tips – what homeowners can and cannot do - Slater and Gordon

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When it comes to a break in, homeowners are tempted to fight, but a careful retreat or even flight, is what the law advises you to do. I have recently heard some homeowners say that they would be prepared to use a weapon to defend themselves against an intruder or burglar during a break in. While the thought of being confronted by a stranger in your own home is frightening, it is important to understand that how you choose to react could have legal implications. As a homeowner, you do not have an automatic right to attack an intruder or a burglar. You cannot hit someone with a baseball bat or any other weapon just because they are standing in your kitchen. If someone does break in while you are home, you should immediately retreat, call the police (if possible) and not confront the intruder. If you do choose to use a weapon on the intruder, you can find yourself on the wrong side of the law. You could even face criminal charges, including assault with a weapon and causing serious injury. Penalties for the offences vary, but it can include a term of imprisonment. In some cases, a homeowner who uses force against an intruder may be entitled to rely on an argument that they acted in self defence. To be successful, you will have to show that it was necessary to defend yourself, from the other person or, in some circumstances, your property. You will also have to show that the force used was reasonable and proportionate to the threat. According to the law, a person is entitled to rely on self-defence if they take steps to forestall a threatened attack before it has begun. Again, the key issue is whether the homeowner’s perception of danger led him or her to believe that the use of defensive force was necessary and that their belief was based on reasonable grounds. It is up to the Court to decide whether the homeowner acted in self-defence, based on the evidence presented before it. In extreme cases, an intruder who is injured during a home invasion may also have the right to pursue a civil claim against the homeowner, who in turn has the right to dispute the claim. Our advice would be to have good security measures in place to reduce the chances of a home invasion and establish a good relationship with your neighbours, just in case you need them to assist you or call the police. Always remember – taking matters into your own hands can be a dangerous exercise and is strongly advised against, unless it is necessary and lawful to do so.

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What does it mean if someone leaves shoes at your door?

It's always better to be safe than sorry… Shoes: This one is a little less common. But if you find a random shoe left by your gate or driveway, it could be a sign that your home is 'easy pickings'. Remove it, keep an eye out and, if more appear, notify the non-emergency line on 101!

easternsec.co.uk - Burglary Markings & Signs - Has Your Home Been Chosen?

Have you noticed suspicious markings on or around your home? Some people say the whole idea of these burglar “short codes” is an urban myth but this article is a great tool to determine:

What burglary markings and signs are

What they mean

Where you might find them

How to protect your home from an intruder

What are ‘burglary markings’?

Burglars use certain signs and symbols to communicate with each other. According to a Lanarkshire Police article, these can highlight factors like: Previously burgled – Being burgled once is bad enough, having your home broken into twice is enough to make anyone feel unsafe. Yes, burglars do come back to the same house…read more about that here. Good target – This marking tells other shady characters that your home is an easy target and to add it to their list. To get this rating, any security measures must be in short supply! Vulnerable occupant – Do you have an elderly mum and/or dad? Burglars target the homes of the elderly because they are more likely to go unheard. And worse, the pensioners are unlikely to be able to take forceful action should any intruder get caught in the act. A scary thought! Alarmed house – Quite possibly the best one you can get. The majority of criminals are not going to risk breaking into a property that they know has a security system. Too risky – This one is right up there with having a home security system. You should still dial 101 if you see any suspicious markings, they may be skipping your place, but your neighbours may not be so lucky.

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