Burgled, page-179

Hi - the perimeters idea makes sense. In my case I have to reduce access from the back, both visual and actual and I do have some crazy ideas, but they will probably just remain ideas - fun while they last. Interesting to see this thread also and it's very male orientation, which is fine, because in fact most burglars are male; my lot happened to be pathetic but have definitely done it before - I found a few more traces of what they had tried and I hadn't noticed before.
But I have also had visitors round yesterday and today and I will be leaving lights on, as I have really 'holed up' this cold winter and my place was in darkness a lot of the time; and I will be out and about a bit more, walking etc. (one low-tech solution which I did immediately: I tied a bell to the door handle to the laundry and heavy equipment behind my bedroom door.)

so the plan now is: I will be working around my house during the day (need to do some painting jobs) - I will be more sociable again - as I used to be -more lights on at night, plus some solar lights which come on when disturbed and I'll also get some quotes about a better back fence and gate, at the very least install a working and lockable gate. In the meantime the selling plan will proceed, although people assure me that break-ins happen everywhere I am not ready just yet to get myself into 'gated this and that' -
Today eldest daughter and partner came round with more ideas, but essentially the message was 'break-ins happen in the suburbs as well' and 'get yourself a dog again' (they will be looking after it when I am travelling).
P.S. I have just remembered I actually own a wonderful set of wind chimes made from large metal tubes, which I never put up, because I didn't want to disturb my neighbours -THEY will come out and can form an early warning system if I manage to connect them to that gate,
Tau