What is the definition of a burglar? Most places will define them as being someone who makes an “unlawful entry into a building for the purposes of committing a theft” – basically someone who steals things that don’t belong to them. This article was written by our guest contributor BWS Security. They are an installer of security services and systems around Bristol, Bath, Swindon and Cheltenham.
A lot of people wrongly assume that all burglars are the same, something which isn’t actually true. They come in a number of different shapes and sizes – they are after different things and have vastly different methods. We believe that there are four basic types of burglars.
The Opportunist
The opportunist burglar, sometimes referred to as the amateur, is a burglar who searches for targets that are quick and easy to break into. They’re not the type of burglar to plan a break-in – they simply prey on someone else’s forgetfulness. Whether it’s a homeowner who has left their door unlocked or someone who has left a window open, the opportunist burglar will take advantage. They typically steal anything that they can exchange for money – usually things they can quickly grab. Because of this, it’s unlikely that much will get stolen. You should take extra care to make sure you close and lock all windows and doors – don’t invite them into your home.
The Smasher
The smasher does as the name suggests, and smashes and crashes their way into homes. They are still an opportunist burglar, but are often described as being a little more ‘desperate’, ‘messy’ and ‘chaotic’. They will act on the spur of the moment, but instead of taking advantage of an open door or window, they will break into a property by smashing a window or by kicking in a door. It’s likely that they have no idea what they are looking for – they will just grab anything that looks expensive.
The Prowler
The prowler is different to the previous two burglars that we have covered – they will actually plan before carrying out a burglary. They will take the time to watch their chosen targets – “prowling” the area until they are satisfied that they have something of value to steal. They are probably a former opportunist who has decided to put more effort into stealing – taking the time to target something valuable. The best way to prevent them breaking into your property is to install good security. They won’t target somewhere in which it’s likely they will get caught.
The Professional
The professional burglar is probably the scariest one – they are far more likely to be violent if disturbed or disrupted. Luckily for homeowners, they aren’t the type to target normal houses or properties. They are often part of a highly organised group who will target high profile places, such as banks or extremely wealthy estates. They know what they are looking for and they have all the equipment to successfully carry out the burglary.
The best way to prevent any burglars from targeting your home or business is to invest in a high quality security system. A security system will protect your property and your family – giving you peace of mind.
