Keeping a dwelling secure against unauthorised entry and maintaining its safety.
Impact on health
The worry and fear tends to be caused by knowing people who have been burgled and by publicity about crimes. Includes injuries where the victim is attacked by the burglar (aggravated burglary).
Causes
- Location – where local area has high levels of poverty and crime
- Poor lighting around the doors and windows of a dwelling
- Poor construction / fitting / disrepair to / inadequate locks
- Lack of viewers to external doors
- Lack of/broken security chains to external doors
- Lack of/defective burglar alarm systems
Prevention
- Design dwelling to reduce hiding places, as far as possible (e.g. fences etc.) for burglars and intruders
- Well-lit and defined pedestrian routes
- Dwelling made safe against unauthorised entry.
- Window locks/dead locks
- Security lights/indoor grilles
- Spy holes/chains on entrance doors