Homeowner catches burglar trying to enter his home at 4am - how to protect your property
The footage shows the man approaching the front door of the house in the Corstorphine of Edinburgh at around 4.20am on Wednesday.
Watch: Homeowner catches burglar trying to enter his home at 4am
This is the chilling moment security camera installed outside a property captured a masked man attempting to break into the home in the early hours of the morning.
The footage shows the man approaching the front door of the house in the Corstorphine area of Edinburgh at around 4.20am on Wednesday.
After trying the handle to see if it would open, the man is then seen quickly walking away from the property.
It is not known if the man tried to break into any other properties in the street or surrounding area.
Eddie Wong, the resident of the home where the footage was taken, has now issued a warning to neighbours, urging them to ensure they are locking their doors.
He told Edinburgh Live: "I am on Craigmount View and this is my front door camera catching a burglar checking my front door earlier this morning.
“Heads up for everyone in the area to ensure doors are locked."
Security tips
Police Scotland advised of simple ways to keep homes safe that “don’t all cost money”.
They suggest always keeping homes locked and not leaving keys inside locks or under mats where they can be easily found.
They added: “Don't put your name or room number on your keyring if you live in shared accommodation, if it is lost or stolen, the thief will have information that could direct them there. Don’t keep house keys and car keys on the same key ring.”
Other tips include not leaving valuables where they can be seen though a window and avoiding putting a calendar that shows appointments up on a wall where it can easily be seen from the outside.
How to protect your home from burglars
Burglars will use a variety of methods to avoid being noticed, taking opportunities to break into properties when they arise.
But police say there is plenty that you can do to keep your home safe – without always having to invest in expensive equipment.
Keep your home visible
While it may be tempting to build high fences or grow shrubbery that will hide your home – this can in fact simply hide the burglar from passers-by as they try to get inside a home.
Police suggest installing lower fences – of around one metre high – as well as planting thorny plants and using plastic spikes that make it difficult for anyone to climb over a fence or a gate.
If you have a driveway, using gravel can also make things loud for anyone trying to walk across it unnoticed, while a movement-based security light will put anyone trying to avoid detection at night well and truly in the spotlight.
Locks
It may sound obvious but having secure locks around your home is advised by police and experts in home security.
Putting two locks on doors makes it that much more difficult to gain unlawful entry, with opportunist burglars looking for the houses with the easiest ways in.
Window locks – both at the front and the back of the property – also add extra protection.
Alarms
Using an accredited burglar alarm system will make things very loud for burglars.
Some alarms are designed simply to scare off an intruder, while others – such as a monitored or auto dialler alarm – will alert alarm companies, designated key holders or the police if activated.
The alarms should be mounted high up on the front and the back of properties so that they cannot be reached by burglars attempting to destroy them.
CCTV
Modern technology means that having CCTV at your home has never been easier.
Smart doorbells can show you who is at your door while you are not at home, with live and recorded footage linked to apps on smartphones.
However, CCTV may not prevent a crime from being committed and is more useful to collect evidence if you have had a break-in.
