- November 5, 2025
- 22
- Wellbeing
Home security is not just about having a strong front door lock. Homes in Devon and across the UK mix older timber doors, side access paths, security cameras and increasingly, smart tech. Most burglars want an easy way in, a quick exit, and no attention. And smart security systems and a mix of entry points can sometimes deter burglars. Devon police forces say that most domestic burglaries are opportunistic, and many happen because a door or window was left easy to get through. In some cases burglars don’t need to use force.
But how can you as a homeowner protect your home? Below are eight simple and practical things you can do to make your home harder to break into.
1. Secure Places Intruders Target First
Most break ins start at ground floor doors and windows, back doors, or side gates that are out of sight. Walk through your home in daylight and list any doors that do not have British Standard locks, any windows without working key locks, and any side gates that can be lifted or pushed. Fix those first.
If your home is an older Devon property with original doors or frames, make sure hinges, letterboxes and glazing are not weak. Reinforcing plates and decent cylinders are inexpensive compared to the cost of a burglary. Reports suggest that household crime has dropped over the long term, but there are still hundreds of thousands of burglary incidents recorded each year, so prevention is worth the effort.
2. Build Security in Layers
One security device is not enough. A good practice says use layers, so if one thing fails, the next slows the intruder down.
A simple way to think about it:
- Strong doors and laminated windows keep people out
- Motion lights and doorbell cameras spot movement
- An alarm makes noise and alerts you
- A tidy front garden removes hiding spots
This “layered” approach is what UK police and professional security firms recommend because most burglaries are quick and opportunistic. If a house looks like work, offenders move on.
3. Set up Smart Security Properly
Smart cameras, motion detectors, video doorbells and app linked alarms give you control when you are at work or away. But they only help when they are installed well. Change default passwords, update firmware, set push alerts and place cameras to see the front door, rear door and drive and make it work for you. Smart devices suit Devon homeowners who travel or rent out their property.
4. Make the House Look Lived In
Houses that look empty attract attention. If you are travelling soon from Devon to London or will be away for the holidays – set up timer lights, ask a neighbour to move bins, and stop post or have someone collect it. Keep ladders, garden tools and bikes out of sight so no one can use them to reach a window.
Before going away, use this simple checklist to secure your home:
- Lock all doors and windows
- Set the alarm
- Curtains or blinds set normally
- Use timer lights
- Ask a neighbour to collect post
- Keep bins in normal places
5. Protect People Who Need Extra Support
Older relatives, people living alone and people with mobility issues need extra security. Age UK advises using door chains, checking ID, and never letting unexpected visitors in without proof. They also encourage fitting peepholes, using trusted trades and installing key safes in secure, hidden spots.
6. Secure Sheds, Garages and Side Paths
A common entry point for burglars in the UK is through the garden. Tools are often taken from a shed and then used on the house. Secure sheds, garages and garden rooms with hasp and staple lock. Add lighting to the side path and keep fences in good repair to deter burglars. Devon homes often have long gardens, so lighting and strong gates make a difference because offenders prefer dark, unseen routes.
7. When Design Matters, Speak to a Specialist
Some homes need security that does not spoil the front of the house. This is common with period homes, coastal properties and higher value homes. When it comes to keeping your home safe, it pays to get advice from experts who understand both the design and technical side of protection. Barry Bros Security has been helping homeowners build discreet, customised security systems that feel as elegant as they are effective.
8. Review Security Systems Once a Year
Security is not a fit-and-forget job. As time passes, burglars get smarter, crime trends change, gardens grow, tech goes out of date. Once a year conduct a walk through the house, check locks, test your alarm systems, change batteries, update camera angles and prune shrubs near doors and windows. Make small upgrades from time-to-time and protect your home.
If a crime is being committed or you believe that you are in danger, call 999.
Conclusion
Most burglars look for the quickest win. If you lock what they expect to be open, light what they expect to be dark, and monitor what they expect to be unseen, you can lower your risk of being burglarised. Start with doors and windows, add layers, protect the people in your home, then review each year. And if you want a system that looks good as well as works, lean on a specialist who does this every day.
For more local ideas on making homes in Devon safer and more enjoyable, subscribe to the Make It Special Devon blog.
