Residential break in statistics

[jmed999]

I did a search but didn't find anything on this subject.  I've heard most break in are from kicking a door open.
 
Do any of you guys know where to find residential break in statistics?  Ie. percentage of homes that are broken into by kicking in the front door, breaking a window, prying a window open, breaking into the garage then the door between the garage and home, breaking in the 2nd story window, etc.
 
The bad thing is if they kick in the front door they have a 30 second head start (at my house) since I gave myself 30 seconds to enter the pin on the keypad.  30 seconds is a long time when you are grabbing stolen equipment.  If they leave as soon as the alarm goes off they have already done damage.
 
It will be nice to have the statistics now that I'm tweaking my system and doing more defense in depth stuff.
 
Thanks guys!

 

[video321]

I can't give you hard statistics, but in my area it's mostly an open window (1st or 2nd floor) or smashing the rear slider.
As for your 30 second concern... I don't use any delays. I use keyfobs for away mode and instant for stay (again because of the fobs). To help drive out any unwelcome guests I have screamers going off in away mode.

 

[NeverDie]

I did a search but didn't find anything on this subject.  I've heard most break in are from kicking a door open.
 
Do any of you guys know where to find residential break in statistics?  Ie. percentage of homes that are broken into by kicking in the front door, breaking a window, prying a window open, breaking into the garage then the door between the garage and home, breaking in the 2nd story window, etc.
 
The bad thing is if they kick in the front door they have a 30 second head start (at my house) since I gave myself 30 seconds to enter the pin on the keypad.  30 seconds is a long time when you are grabbing stolen equipment.  If they leave as soon as the alarm goes off they have already done damage.
 
It will be nice to have the statistics now that I'm tweaking my system and doing more defense in depth stuff.
 
Thanks guys!

 
+1.  I'd like to know the statistics also.

 

[sda]

Statistics don't mean poo.   If 99% of the houses are entered at the ground floor, are you NOT going to alarm your second floor windows?  To quote Dirty Harry - " ... you’ve got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel lucky?' Well, do ya, punk?"

 

[jmed999]

Statistics mean a lot.  If I'm doing defense in depth with limited funds I'd like to be educated so I cover the highest percentages with the available funds.  Ie. I don't need to use 3 window sensors per window on the 2nd floor when one will work.  Using one may leave me with enough money for a keyfob so the entry delay is 0 sec instead of 30 sec since front door intrusions happen way more often.  That's just an example of why statistics are important.

 

[elvisimprsntr]

I use the car analogy to explain home security protection. There are two cars sitting next to one another in a parking lot. One is locked, the other has the keys in the ignition and engine running. Which one do you think the thief will steal?

So as long as your house is more secure than your neighbors, you are less likely to be a victim of a random burglary. If you have enemies or people who know you have some thing worth stealing, they will find a way in and case your house to break in when you are not home.

I have also read interviews of former police burglary investigators who say the first line of defense is having a professional home security yard sign outside of your home. Of course having an actual security system and using it is the next line of defense. Followed by making it appears the house is occupied when you are gone extended periods of time. Programmed lights, suspend paper and mail delivery, lawn/garden care, snow removal, etc.

 

[ano]

Also, the people breaking into homes are not rocket scientists. If they were, they would have a job and wouldn't be breaking in homes. They are crack heads, homeless people, kids, and they break in the easiest way they see.  I would think a back door would be common, but I'm not surprised if front door is second most common. Open windows are asking for trouble also.
 
You certainly can put sensors on every door and window, but I've not really seen any studies that say this is anymore effective than having a few motion detectors and glass breakage detectors. Door and window sensors might be preferred if you have a big dog, where motion sensors would cause false alarms. 

 

[RAL]

A burglar is going to look for the easiest way into your house, such as an open window, or a window or door that is hidden from street view.  If nothing looks particularly easy, then they'll try and kick in a door or smashing a window.
 
One of the best things you can do is reinforce the locks and door frames.  Get a reinforced strike plate with a box behind it, like this one.  And reinforce the door itself around the lock, with something like this.
 
There are also other options, that reinforce the entire door frame.
 
To me, these are things to do before you think about an alarm.

 

[tmbrown97]

The other thing is that crime circles can vary by area - it's not a thousand thiefs out copying each other - it's a couple punks that do this together and/or learned from each other and they terrorize an area until they're stopped.  Sometimes it's group that knows enough to use your ladder to enter the 2nd floor windows; sometimes it's the door to door salesman that'll swipe something from an open garage; sometimes it's the group that'll put a brick through your back sider.  Once in a while it'll be someone who just kicks in front doors and doesn't care.
 
You have to protect yourself from all of them - and as said above, make your house the less appealing target.

 

[NeverDie]

There are also other options, that reinforce the entire door frame.

 
Seems like this is a good example of why statistics would help in deciding what to do or to buy.  Consider the photo that accompanies the $80 door frame and hinge reinforcement product:
 

 
Is the perp just going to walk away if kicking in the reinforced door is harder than he expected, or is he more likely to change his approach and smash through and enter one of the nearby windows (or, in this case, smash a hole the window to the right of the door handle and then just reach around to unlock the door)?  If 99% opt to go through the window after being defeated by the door, then maybe the $80 door reinforcement isn't worthwhile.  On the other hand, if 99% walk away and only 1% proceed through the window, then maybe it's $80 well spent.
 
For instance, the door lock itself seems easily defeated by all manner of tools that are readily available.  It's a lot quieter too.  Forget the potentially out-of-date statistics, I'd like to know what % of the time that's how it happens these days (where literally anyone can watch youtubes showing exactly how to make tools to defeat some of the most popular locks in about 10 seconds with little to no skill).

 

[jmed999]

Thanks for the varying opinions.  Now to re-ask the question again...
 
Do any of you guys know where to find residential break in statistics?

 

[RAL]

Probably not quite the detailed statistics you are looking for, but from page 26 of this report, it says:
 
In about two-thirds of reported U.S. burglaries (including
commercial ones), the offenders force entry. Unsecured
windows and doors (including sliding glass doors) are
common entry points. Burglars typically use simple tools such
as screwdrivers or crowbars to pry open weak locks, windows
and doors,55 or they may simply break a window or kick in a
door.
 
 

In about one-third of burglaries, the offenders do not force
entry; they enter through unlocked or open windows and
doors, especially basement windows and exterior and interior
garage doors.56 There is no consensus about the most
common entry point–it depends on the house's architecture
and siting on its lot.
 
As the report points out, burglaries vary a lot based on where you live, how close your neighbors are, how shielded your house is, etc. I know quite a few cops, and they tell me that once a burglar approaches your house, they want to get inside as quickly as possible. 2 minutes or less for a typical house in a typical neighborhood.   If they can't get in quickly, they are more likely to move on to an easier target rather than take more time on your house and risk having someone see them.

 

[RAL]

Here are some more detailed statistics from another report.  See Tables 5 to 7.
 
[Edit:] 
 
And this Excel spreadsheet has some data for burglaries in the U.K.  My guess is that it isn't too different than what happens in the U.S.

 

[pvrfan]

Interesting thread!  I had a look at the local police web site but the statistics they publish are too general to be useful.  However, I noticed that they offer a Home Security Inspection.  Perhaps something similar is available where you live?
 
http://www.haltonpolice.ca/CommunityPolicing/PublicSafetyEducation/Safeguard/Pages/default.aspx
 
BTW, my next door neighbour was broken into twice (in 10 years) by having the front door kicked in.  The first time was a morning after he and his family had left for work/school.  I happened to be home that day and went out to water the plants.  Saw the front door open and then noticed the damage to the door frame.  I never heard the initial kick-in.  Response to the 911 call was gratifyingly fast (because it was possible they were still inside).
 
Our house was broken into while we slept.  They popped open a side door to the garage.  I have a motion-triggered light on that side of the house but apparently that just helped them see what they were doing!  Normally that door is never used and has all manner of stuff leaning against it that would have come crashing down when it opened.  As luck would have it, I had cleaned up in that area a few days previous.  Argh.  Anyway, they took my wife's purse and a camera.  We found the purse with the everything intact except the cash a few doors down.  (Of course, we had to replace the credit cards etc.)  The police said that 14 houses were broken into that night.  You could see tracks in the snow where they attempted to get into a couple of the neighbours.
 
Craig

 

[JimS]

Just one data point but I had my home broken into a number of years ago.  It was in what I would call a fairly nice middle class neighborhood.  Came home one day to find my front door kicked in.  It was fairly clear it was done by a neighbors high school kid.  I was single at the time and my schedule was very predictable so they knew no one was around.  I had thought about an alarm but hadn't put it in yet.  Put in an alarm and have had an alarm in every home since then.  Never had any more trouble even though I lived there for several more years.
 
Also reinforced the edge of the door with the metal wrap that was previously posted and reinforced the door jamb.  The deadbolt had broken right out of the door.
 
It's mostly common sense and multiple approaches.  Keep flashy, valuable stuff out of sight (as much as practical), reinforce the doors, alarm system and signs.  Short delays.  Protect the phone line or other way of reporting alarms (cell monitoring is good).  A lot of thefts are crimes of opportunity - a vacant home, an open garage door, etc.