Police have warned of a possible increase in ‘sneak-in burglaries this summer.
Northumbria Police Inspector Steve Robson said: “We are increasing patrols and carrying out operations to target those we believe are responsible for sneak-in burglaries. It only takes a few seconds for thieves to get in and out of an insecure house.”
Newcastle upon Tyne-based UKB Security says it has noted a 38 per cent increase in CCTV installations to residential properties compared to the same three month period to May last year.
Sales director Steve Barnard said: “Our core business is in protecting industrial and commercial property, but since Autumn 2008 we have seen a steady increase in residential property owners enquiring about high specifications CCTV and automatic gate systems.
“We haven’t had a request for ram-proof pop-up barriers from a residential client yet, but it can only be a matter of time”.
He said many home owners are installing new ‘smart cameras’ which alert a central control room to any movement in their vicinity.
An operator then talks to the person through a microphone and speaker built into the camera to verify if they have permission to be around the house, and if not, advise them that police have been informed and are on their way.
The system is accessible via the internet through a password system so home owners can check on their property 24/7 from anywhere in the world. Smart cameras can be switched on and off using the same switch that sets and un-sets the house alarm.
Barnard said: “With commercial clients, security and the savings to be made over traditional static guards are the driving force behind the adoption of smart cameras.
“With residential clients it is the peace of mind that comes from knowing a trained security professional is watching their property while they are away.
“Passive CCTV simply records and stores images, but this new technology is like having a security guard watching your home at those times you specify. In the past, criminals have resorted to wearing hoodies, hats or masks to foil CCTV, but when the camera starts talking to them they quickly realise it’s game over.”