Burglary Prevention Advice

West Midlands Police publishes a specific list of seven facts about residential burglary to educate homeowners on how opportunistic thieves operate. According to official West Midlands Police Crime Prevention guidelines, understanding these specific habits is the key to deterring break-ins.

Dear residents of Bilston and East Park,

The seven core facts identified by the force are:

1. Burglars are Opportunistic, Not Masterminds

·         Most intruders prey on vulnerable houses and flats rather than planning complex heists.

·         They actively seek out easy openings, such as doors and windows left unlatched or unlocked.

·         Taking simple, smart preventative steps is often enough to make them move on.

2. High-Value Packaging Acts as an Open Invitation

·         Burglars choose properties they assume contain expensive, flip-ready items.

·         Leaving boxes from new TVs, game consoles, or designer goods outside your door is a "sure giveaway".

·         Breaking down boxes and keeping them hidden in bins prevents advertising your purchases.

3. Openings and Vulnerable Features are Actively Exploited

·         Intruders do not look for a challenge; they look for weak spots they can exploit quickly.

·         Ground floor windows left cracked open or older door frames are prime targets.

·         Keeping windows locked—even during warm weather—dramatically reduces risk.

4. Criminals Memorise and Track School Runs and Holidays

·         Thieves pay attention to local patterns to determine when a house will be empty.

·         The afternoon school run and school holiday windows are peak times for local break-ins.

·         Making a property look occupied during these specific hours acts as a powerful shield.

5. Exposure to Neighbours is a Thief's Greatest Fear

·         Burglars generally have a strong aversion to being seen or heard.

·         If they believe a neighbour or passer-by will notice them, they feel exposed and abandon the attempt.

·         Lower front fences (around 1 metre) are recommended because they remove hiding spots.

6. High-Value Vehicles are the Primary Target

·         Many residential break-ins in the West Midlands are specifically motivated by a vehicle parked outside.

·         Thieves choose a house because they want to steal a specific car, motorcycle, or bicycle.

·         They break into the home because they know the keys are highly likely to be stored just inside the door.

7. Key Fishing is Preferable to Forced Entry

·         Intruders will attempt to steal your keys without ever setting foot inside the property.

·         They use hooks, magnets, or wire rods through letterboxes and cat flaps to "fish" for keys left on nearby tables.

·         Keeping car and house keys completely out of sight and away from the front door neutralises this tactic.

I hope you find this helpful,

Kind regards PCSO 31005 Gavin Chandler

Bilston North & East Park Neighbourhood Police Team