Invest in your home security
Mar 10, 2004
Burglary and theft is known to be one the oldest crimes of mankind. Here in Uganda, it has for long remained one of the leading crimes. Burglary is breaking into a house at night with intent to commit a crime. If it is done during the day, it is ‘house-breaking’.
Burglary and theft is known to be one the oldest crimes of mankind. Here in Uganda, it has for long remained one of the leading crimes. Burglary is breaking into a house at night with intent to commit a crime. If it is done during the day, it is ‘house-breaking’.
The offence of burglary is registering high figures, with 2,938 cases reported in 2001, 2,980 in 2002 and 2,612 cases by November 30, 2003.
Last year, property stolen by burglars was worth sh1.7b, and property worth sh137m was recovered.
According to the CID provisional Crime Report for 2003, the rise in burglary was attributed to would-be robbers switching to burglaries.
This is because of the former Operation Wembley's efforts and the Violent Crime Crack Unit, which has cracked down on violent robbers.
However, most of these burglaries can be prevented by simple measures.
The first principle is, it is often difficult for burglars to break into a house if they are uncertain the contents therein are worth the risk. So they first rake the house by making strange visits.
- Children and housekeepers should therefore be warned never to bring home any friend they do not know well.
-Hawkers should never be allowed into a house, for many of them are ‘rakers’.
-Utility workers like those for electricity and water should first identify themselves and only allowed access to places relevant to their work.
This is because many burglar rakers disguise themselves as utility workers.
Secondly burglars like soft targets. These are targets where their mission will be accomplished quickly. Hence, if one delays the burglar, he is most likely to give up.
This can be achieved by fitting burglar proofed doors and windows. l Inside doors should be strong too and locked as the house occupantss go to bed.
This will cause a delay in accessing inside rooms although the burglars are already in the house.
-If the house has a fence, the gate should be strong and the fence high. Fitting a razor wire around the fence can also enhance security.
-Lighting too can discourage burglars. Hence, bright security lights are important for your safety.
-Security can also be enhanced by; hiring a security guard, fitting burglar alarms, electrified fences, having a phone in the house and knowing the telephone numbers of your nearest police post/station.
The central emergence police numbers to call are 999 on land lines and 112 on a mobile phone.
The bottom line is you must be ready to spend on your security. It does not make sense to work so hard, acquire property and then lose it overnight to burglars.
The offence of burglary is registering high figures, with 2,938 cases reported in 2001, 2,980 in 2002 and 2,612 cases by November 30, 2003.
Last year, property stolen by burglars was worth sh1.7b, and property worth sh137m was recovered.
According to the CID provisional Crime Report for 2003, the rise in burglary was attributed to would-be robbers switching to burglaries.
This is because of the former Operation Wembley's efforts and the Violent Crime Crack Unit, which has cracked down on violent robbers.
However, most of these burglaries can be prevented by simple measures.
The first principle is, it is often difficult for burglars to break into a house if they are uncertain the contents therein are worth the risk. So they first rake the house by making strange visits.
- Children and housekeepers should therefore be warned never to bring home any friend they do not know well.
-Hawkers should never be allowed into a house, for many of them are ‘rakers’.
-Utility workers like those for electricity and water should first identify themselves and only allowed access to places relevant to their work.
This is because many burglar rakers disguise themselves as utility workers.
Secondly burglars like soft targets. These are targets where their mission will be accomplished quickly. Hence, if one delays the burglar, he is most likely to give up.
This can be achieved by fitting burglar proofed doors and windows. l Inside doors should be strong too and locked as the house occupantss go to bed.
This will cause a delay in accessing inside rooms although the burglars are already in the house.
-If the house has a fence, the gate should be strong and the fence high. Fitting a razor wire around the fence can also enhance security.
-Lighting too can discourage burglars. Hence, bright security lights are important for your safety.
-Security can also be enhanced by; hiring a security guard, fitting burglar alarms, electrified fences, having a phone in the house and knowing the telephone numbers of your nearest police post/station.
The central emergence police numbers to call are 999 on land lines and 112 on a mobile phone.
The bottom line is you must be ready to spend on your security. It does not make sense to work so hard, acquire property and then lose it overnight to burglars.