Being burgled is a horrible experience and the added fear of not being able to defend yourself if you are disabled can make it doubly frightening. Wheelchair user Angela Drane, 45, who lives in Winyates had a previous home broken into four times. "The first time I was broken into I was in bed asleep and a man came into my bedroom and disturbed me," she says.

"I decided to make as much noise as I could and he ran out of the property."

Despite having a strong personality and being an executive trustee of Scope, Angela says: "The feeling of security is totally gone and it will never come back."

She was desperate to move. The new estate where she lives was built with security features like security lighting and locks for windows and doors.

But how can you make your home secure if you stay where you are?

If you want good advice, it is worth talking to a crime prevention officer or crime reduction officer through your local police station. They should know about any local schemes which might provide financial help to fit security equipment.

A basic thing to do before spending any money is to make sure windows and doors are locked and to check the identity of callers before letting them in.

Here are a few tips:

• The strongest type of door is a hardwood door.
• Doors can be fitted with a five lever mortice deadlock, which cannot be opened from inside the house without a key. Make sure the lock meets British Standard BS3621. And obviously a door viewer will let you know who is outside before you open the door and a door chain will keep the door from opening fully.
• You should fit key locks to all accessible windows.
• If you fit PVCu or metal framed doors or windows make sure that they come with good fitted locks and a chain as it can be expensive to add these later.
• Make sure you can still escape if there is a fire. Fit smoke detectors.
• Fitting a light outside the house can ensure you will see who is at the door at night time, and deters thieves.
• It is a good idea to make people think you are in even if you are out. Timer switches will turn on lights and the tv in your absence.
• Many burglar alarms are on the market, from cheaper DIY alarms to others costing hundreds of pounds. Professionally installed alarms should meet BS 4737 and DIY alarms should meet BS6707.

Ian Foulkes, crime reduction officer in the Stoke-on-Trent division, Staffordshire Police, says: "Nothing can be guaranteed, but a house with good door and window locks and an alarm on is much less likely to be burgled than a house with no security."

"DIY stores will stock most things that people could use to increase their security and most things are now reasonably priced."

If you are not up to DIY, it is still worth seeing if there are any schemes which help disabled people locally.

Michelle Cannell, 31, of Thetford, who has cerebral palsy, approached a local organisation called Partners Against Crime Taskforce which put a chain and a five lever mortice lock on her door and locks on her windows for free because she is on benefits.

She says: " I was worried about being burgled because I am on the ground floor and I have always lived on my own so I have got to be secure. It has made me feel a lot more safe."

Of course many disabled people will struggle with standard equipment. The Disabled Living Foundation provides information on a whole range of electronic equipment such as intercoms, which allow you to speak to someone outside, entry controls, which do not require keys, and video entry systems.

Don’t forget, if neighbours know you are looking out for them, they will look out for you.

Mark Weatherall, 36, of Stoke, is secretary to his local neighbourhood watch scheme. He fitted a burglar alarm after his first burglary, but says that the neighbourhood watch "gives everyone a greater sense of security and it helps with the local community spirit."

Burglars like their crimes to be as easy as possible.

The more difficult you make it, the less likely you are to suffer heartache and the safer you will feel.

Posted: 5 Dec, 2001

For DN news, views and subscriptions click here...

Search for other articles like this Enter your search terms Submit search form   Web www.youreable.com

About us Our partners Terms & conditions Jobs at Youreable designed by