Think like a thief this Christmas (Reformed burglar gives security advice)

The Sun (U.K.) ^ | November 29, 2006 | LUCY WATERLOW

[Stoat]

 
Mark Whiteley ... former burglar has home security advice

Think like a thief this Christmas

 
By LUCY WATERLOW
November 29, 2006
 
 

 

 

 

 
"BURGLARS are opportunists. Nine out of ten are cowards. They don't want to meet people. They want to be in and out of a house with expensive goods as quickly as possible."

 

These are 38-year-old Mark Whiteley views on burglars. And he should now, he was one.

For the "buzz" of stealing, Mark began thieving when he was just 14-years-old.

He started out breaking into homes and schools and went on to make a living dealing in stolen goods.

He was convicted and ordered to serve 48 hours at an attendance centre after he was caught stealing climbing equipment from a school.

And after another close call with police over handling stolen goods, he decided to change his ways and make an honest living.

Now he is a successful actor and playwright and wants to help other people avoid becoming victims of burglary.

While Mark admits all year can be "peak time" for thieves, the festive season offers them the opportunity to plunder Christmas gifts or break into homes of people away for the holidays.

So he has teamed up with Prudential Home Insurance to spread the word to people to keep their homes secure.

He said: "When I was thieving in the 1980s, video recorders were the prize item to steal. Today it will be small, expensive gadgets like digital cameras, play stations, mobiles and laptops which are easy to pocket and make for attractive sellable items on the black market.

"It's important to keep your possessions and presents like these out of sight, preferably upstairs."

Mark, from Nottingham, said one good way to test how secure your house is, is to carry out his "10 minute test".

He said: "Pretend you are locked out of your house and time yourself how long it takes you to find a way in. A burglar will find that way in half the time, trust me.

"It could be a dodgy back door lock or a bathroom window always left open because of condensation. When you have identified the weak spots, make sure you secure them."

As well as improving home security, Mark said people can cut crime this Christmas by not buying any cut price presents they suspect have been stolen.

He said: "People have a responsibility. If there wasn't the demand, there wouldn't be the supply. Don't buy half price goods from a dodgy man in the pub as you're only buying into someone else's misery."

Mark's top tips for home security

•  Think like a thief – try to break into your own home and then make it hard for a burglar.
•  Don’t kit out a burglar with the tools for the job.  Keep ladders and tools locked up.
• Keep hedges low, so burglars are exposed. 
•  Lock all doors and windows when you go out, even if it’s just for a few minutes.
• Install simple security devices, like a burglar alarm, to deter would-be criminals.
• Dogs deter burglars but remember they are for life not just to look after your Christmas presents.
• If you’re going away on holiday make sure your home looks occupied.
• Keep your valuables out of sight.
• Mark, log, and photograph your valuables.
• Make friends with your neighbours and ask them to keep an eye on your house when you're not in.
• Never buy cut price goods you suspect have been stolen.

[Stoat]

My hope is that others will add tips that they've found to be effective.

For those of us who are Blessed to live in the USA, I would add that it's a good idea to avoid imbibing in the "Christmas Cheer" to the point of being less than fully competent in handling the wider range of home defense options available to us here.

 

[rabscuttle385]

I would add...be careful when someone knocks on your door. A potential thief could pretend to be a neighbor who got locked out of his (or her) house or someone whose car just "died" and needs to use the phone.

All the protection in the world (except maybe a rifle) is worthless if you stupidly open the door and invite the robber right on in.

[Stoat]

I would add...be careful when someone knocks on your door. A potential thief could pretend to be a neighbor who got locked out of his (or her) house or someone whose car just "died" and needs to use the phone.

All the protection in the world (except maybe a rifle) is worthless if you stupidly open the door and invite the robber right on in.

Excellent suggestion!  Somebody tried to do that very thing to me once, but I turned him away without opening the door.  I'm in a metro area, so public phones and services are not hard to come by in the neighborhood. 

If somebody says that they've just had an accident outside and you can't see it from your window, they can wait outside while you call 911. 

[Farmer Dean]

I always answer the door with one hand behind my back.In that hand is either a 1911 or HK USP.The dogs are standing right behind me too.

[MindBender26]

Happened to us recently.

Well dressed man at front door said "Car died en-route to getting his sick child to hospital, could he come in and use phone?"

Said (on intercom) that I had just called 911 for him. He took off running.

Also had my Glock 23 in hand......

[Lexinom]

I am pissed. Their Christmas present to us (received Friday) was $136 in overdraft fees against an account that never went negative. They have no intention of removing the fees. They have done this on many occasions, costing us thousands.

Our Christmas present to them is a nice letter complete with screenshots of their balance reporting tools (with total absence of negative balance) CC'ed to the FDIC.

A burgler does not want to break in here. I would love a legal reason to blow someone's head off right now, unChristmaslike as that seems.

Merry Christmas.

[Lexinom]

Sorry, I meant to preface that with "my bank is the only burgler we need."

[Stoat]

"my bank is the only burgler we need."

I'm terribly sorry to hear of this cavalier, guttersnipe bank that has lost sight of who is paying it's CEO his / her salary.

It sounds to me that they need to be reminded that they are not the only bank in town, and that their obtuse, arrogant and CRIMINAL demeanor is not one that can be put forth without consequences of a pecuniary nature.

Banks occupy a special position of trust in our lives, and when they violate that trust it's essential that they pay appropriate consequences, whether that may be the loss of a customer or criminal prosecution, if warranted.

I'm hoping that you might be able, for just a short time, to push this matter aside and allow the joy, wonder and magic of Christmas to fill your heart and those around you.

Please don't let this evil, incompetent bank steal that from you as well.

May God Bless you and yours and bring you Peace.

[Lexinom]

Yes you are right. Sorry for the vent. It cost me a special gift for my wife.

Banks have become corrupt. This particular one will show account balance from ATM/website, yet make it tedious to get the true funds available. It is possible to get this (assuming you have no outstanding paper checks in the mail). If you follow the right steps you can get the dollar amount of funds available. But it is not available in tabular form - like "Account Balance" is.

This, to me, smells like a deliberate attempt to trick acct. holders into thinking they have more than they do, and thereby incur overdraft charges.

BTW, ever notice this phenomenon?

You have three transactions: $10, $30, and $70, executed in that order against a balance of $100 (which we would normally avoid). They will ALWAYS process the $70 first to ding you with three overdrafts instead of one. At least my bank does. These are the institutions that "occupy a special position of trust in our lives," as you eloquently put it.

You are right on your other advice. Thanks for responding to my rant in a kind way. A blessed Christmas to you and yours!

[Lexinom]

against a balance of $50, not $100. Very, very tired right now.

[metmom]

ping

[Stoat]

Sorry for the vent

There's no need to apologize...sadly, this can be a very stressful time for many people..

It cost me a special gift for my wife.

Many wives do not have the greatest gift of all, which is an honorable, kind and virtuous husband to be at their sides through thick and thin, for better and for worse, and til death do ye part.

I would guess that your wife is fully aware of how very lucky she is, and that one gift one way or another matters not in the grand scheme of things.

BTW, ever notice this phenomenon?

I can't say that I have, but I'm not the best reference standard to go by.  My life is fairly simple, as compared to most, and I rarely have to engage in complex transactions.

A blessed Christmas to you and yours!

Thank you very much  :-)

Very, very tired right now.

Please hold your dear wife's hand, look into her eyes, tell her that you love her, and that NOTHING will take away the joys of Christmas from you both.  Battles with institutions can always be fought another day....this is one of the most special days of the year, and it should be spent in absolute, unrestrained happiness, and with the feeling of being Blessed, which you are.

 

[goodnesswins]

What is the name of your Bank?....and have you banked there very long? I always get overdrafts REVERSED.....because we've banked there a LONG time, and because they were so outlandish. You might write a letter demanding that....or that you will take your business elsewhere.

[Lexinom]

I have called them. They refuse to reverse. The transaction history (from website) shows nothing ever going negative - unless you follow extra steps, hence the deception. What they do is report the higher number ("Account Balance") in the transaction table. They do not report the "Avaialable Funds" column, but make user go through an additional hassel to get this - which user must click for each transaction.

They make it appear as though the usable funds are higher than they actually are. They do not show "Available Funds".

The FDIC is involved now. The letters are sealed and will be sent by certified mail Tuesday morning.

You should not have to call your bank to take their hand out of the cookie jar - esp. if the obvious, printable transaction history shows the account never going negative during the overdraft period.

[goodnesswins]

They sound despicable. I hope you're looking for another bank, even as you follow this through. May the New Year bring you happier tidings!

[HiTech RedNeck]

Have a "Designated shooter"?

[HiTech RedNeck]

They have done this on many occasions, costing us thousands.

So switch banks already?

[Fester Chugabrew]

Never buy cut price goods you suspect have been stolen.

Several days ago some goofy knucklehead in a Santa hat knocked on our door offering T-bone steaks at a deep discount. Introduced himself as the door to door food salesman we've always known. Never saw the guy in my life.

[Lexinom]

No, I've threatened to. This big bank has called my bluff. We will do this beginning of year, to a small and new bank that we've been working with for our business account.

I had an opportunity once to shut them down when I asked for $20,000 cash this Spring for buying a business and they didn't have it. Instead, not only did they not face reprisal from the Fed but they charged me $7 for a cashier check instead. Opportunity lost.

A bank is for storing money and (very rarely) borrowing it. It should not constitute a major part of a person's life, imho

[Stoat]

 

Never buy cut price goods you suspect have been stolen.

Several days ago some goofy knucklehead in a Santa hat knocked on our door offering T-bone steaks at a deep discount. Introduced himself as the door to door food salesman we've always known. Never saw the guy in my life.

It's always sad when criminals desecrate one of the Holiest days of the year by perpetrating their crimes at this time, but to soil the image of Saint Nicholas on top of that truly makes my blood boil.

Thankfully you didn't aid and abet his criminal enterprise, and hopefully he was caught soon thereafter.

I wonder what poor grocery store owner was robbed or burgled by this cretin.

Such people surely have a very special spot waiting for them in Hell..