0:00:02 > 0:00:05Every minute of every day, someone somewhere is getting burgled.
0:00:09 > 0:00:10It doesn't sound good.
0:00:10 > 0:00:14With an average of 92 break-ins an hour, it's a huge problem.
0:00:19 > 0:00:21It never ceases to amaze me
0:00:21 > 0:00:25how much mess these burglars cause for people.
0:00:25 > 0:00:31For the victims of these crimes, it can take months or even years to overcome the trauma.
0:00:31 > 0:00:33Everywhere in the house is completely ransacked.
0:00:33 > 0:00:36Everything we had stored was damaged.
0:00:36 > 0:00:41It's disgusting, you know... I don't have much myself.
0:00:41 > 0:00:44But in this series, we're fighting back against the burglar...
0:00:44 > 0:00:46Police! Forcing entry! Police!
0:00:46 > 0:00:49..helping you to beef up your security...
0:00:49 > 0:00:55- Here we go. - ..while the police catch the criminals.
0:00:55 > 0:00:57Oh, yeah. I feel safer now. A lot safer.
0:00:57 > 0:01:00Everything's going to be fine for you, isn't it?
0:01:00 > 0:01:02This is Break-in Britain -
0:01:02 > 0:01:04The Crackdown.
0:01:06 > 0:01:10- Hello there.- Now, it's so easy to take your home security for granted.
0:01:10 > 0:01:12- We all do it.- That's right.
0:01:12 > 0:01:15And today I'm in Leeds, with a man who had a rude awakening
0:01:15 > 0:01:20when he discovered a burglar had broken in while he was in bed.
0:01:20 > 0:01:24I feel utterly outraged. I think it's, I think it's disgraceful
0:01:24 > 0:01:26as well. And I won't tell you what I would like to do
0:01:26 > 0:01:28if I got hold of him.
0:01:28 > 0:01:30And I'm in South Wales With Jean,
0:01:30 > 0:01:34who came home to find her door had been kicked in.
0:01:34 > 0:01:37And it wasn't even the first time she'd been burgled.
0:01:37 > 0:01:40I think one of the things that upset me,
0:01:40 > 0:01:44really, was that, the thought of someone being in my house.
0:01:44 > 0:01:47And, you know, your house is sort of violated, really, isn't it?
0:01:52 > 0:01:54Kirkstall, in the north-west of Leeds,
0:01:54 > 0:01:57is an area patrolled by West Yorkshire Police.
0:01:58 > 0:02:02It's early morning and one of the locals has awoken to discover
0:02:02 > 0:02:04he has been the victim of a burglary.
0:02:28 > 0:02:31- OPERATOR:- All right, thanks, Kenneth. Bye.
0:02:35 > 0:02:38When I came out, this is exactly again how it was.
0:02:38 > 0:02:40That's where they've done it.
0:02:40 > 0:02:4365-year-old Ken is a retired senior lecturer,
0:02:43 > 0:02:47who taught at the University of Leeds for many years.
0:02:47 > 0:02:52He lives alone and, while he was asleep upstairs, some lowlife broke in.
0:02:52 > 0:02:55Burglaries when someone is at home are not uncommon.
0:02:55 > 0:03:00In fact, it happens in 53% of cases.
0:03:00 > 0:03:02PC Gary Beckett is finding out what happened.
0:03:03 > 0:03:07Did you say it was around 6:30 this morning or around 8:30 you got up?
0:03:07 > 0:03:09Erm, no, I got up at 7:30, 7:45.
0:03:09 > 0:03:12When I came in here, saw this on the floor,
0:03:12 > 0:03:14it alerted me to something more serious.
0:03:14 > 0:03:18It seems Ken's isn't the only place that's been broken into.
0:03:18 > 0:03:21- There's been a couple of other burglaries in the area.- Yes.
0:03:21 > 0:03:24Last night. So, chances are it was the same person doing each one.
0:03:24 > 0:03:27So, there might be some evidential link in one of those that we
0:03:27 > 0:03:31can sort of tie into this one, if it sort of, like, matches.
0:03:31 > 0:03:34So, with a potential serial burglar on the prowl,
0:03:34 > 0:03:37Gary heads off to start his door-to-door enquiries.
0:03:41 > 0:03:43In the meantime, I'm going to see how Ken's doing.
0:03:46 > 0:03:49- Hiya.- Hiya.- Can I come in? - Yes, you can.- All right, thanks.
0:03:49 > 0:03:51What happened then?
0:03:51 > 0:03:53Well, I got up this morning
0:03:53 > 0:03:56and came down here about half-past eight, went into the kitchen
0:03:56 > 0:03:59and I saw that there were three of the cupboard doors that were
0:03:59 > 0:04:01open and I thought, "Oh, that's odd,
0:04:01 > 0:04:03"I don't remember leaving those open last night."
0:04:03 > 0:04:07I've got a couple of cats, so I thought, "Oh, the cats have been having a look around
0:04:07 > 0:04:09- "to see what they can find." - Yeah.
0:04:09 > 0:04:12Walked in here and the minute I walked in, on the floor,
0:04:12 > 0:04:15my bags were all tipped up and everything,
0:04:15 > 0:04:18the contents had obviously been strewn around
0:04:18 > 0:04:21and the first thing that I thought was, "There's been a break-in here."
0:04:21 > 0:04:23This is, you know, something a bit more serious.
0:04:23 > 0:04:27And then I noticed the cold draught coming through and the curtain open
0:04:27 > 0:04:31at the back and saw in fact they had taken a double glazing panel out.
0:04:31 > 0:04:34- Knowing, probably, that you were in. - Well, my car was in the drive,
0:04:34 > 0:04:38so, you know, from that point of view, the usual assumption would be,
0:04:38 > 0:04:41well, the owner of the house is in because his car's on the drive.
0:04:41 > 0:04:43So, yeah, clearly,
0:04:43 > 0:04:46they had come in knowing that there was somebody in the house.
0:04:46 > 0:04:48Police don't like the term "professional burglar".
0:04:48 > 0:04:51But it looks like someone who knows what
0:04:51 > 0:04:53they're doing, had done it before.
0:04:53 > 0:04:56That's the impression that one gets from the evidence or lack of it.
0:04:56 > 0:05:00And certainly from conversations early this morning with the police.
0:05:02 > 0:05:04Are you all right there? Good morning.
0:05:04 > 0:05:07- It's just in relation...your neighbour's been broken into. - You mean Ken?
0:05:07 > 0:05:10- Yeah, yeah. - In the early hours of this morning.
0:05:10 > 0:05:13- Is that why my garden chair is over his wall?- Yeah.
0:05:13 > 0:05:16Your neighbour next door has been broken into in the early hours of this morning.
0:05:16 > 0:05:19I just wondered if you'd seen anybody hanging about
0:05:19 > 0:05:22- or heard anything last night?- No. - No, not seen anything? No?- No.
0:05:22 > 0:05:26- He's not heard anything or been disturbed. They've just taken a few items.- No, WE haven't.
0:05:26 > 0:05:29- But we sleep at the front of the house in any case.- Right, right.
0:05:29 > 0:05:31This has happened many times before as well
0:05:31 > 0:05:33and I never seem to hear anything at all.
0:05:33 > 0:05:37The police enquiries have uncovered a potential link between Ken's
0:05:37 > 0:05:40burglary and the other one that took place just down the road.
0:05:40 > 0:05:44The second one, I've just had a quick look and it looks like it is exactly the same MO.
0:05:44 > 0:05:46The same sort of window.
0:05:46 > 0:05:48It's been taken out in exactly the same way.
0:05:48 > 0:05:52So, which is quite an uncommon method as well, so...
0:05:52 > 0:05:55I do think it's probably the same person, yeah.
0:05:55 > 0:05:58Ken had been doing work in his living room before going to bed,
0:05:58 > 0:06:05so this brazen burglar was able to swipe two laptops, a hard drive and two cameras.
0:06:05 > 0:06:08There's a lot of work on my laptop and my hard drive.
0:06:08 > 0:06:11So to have gone, yeah, yeah... As I say, some of which is backed up...
0:06:11 > 0:06:13Until I can check that, yeah,
0:06:13 > 0:06:18I'm not going to be able to assess exactly how much documentation has gone.
0:06:18 > 0:06:22Sadly, Ken has lost much more than just work on his laptops.
0:06:22 > 0:06:25One of the cameras contained some of the last photographs
0:06:25 > 0:06:29taken of his late wife before she passed away.
0:06:30 > 0:06:33I feel utterly outraged.
0:06:33 > 0:06:35I think it's, I think its disgraceful as well.
0:06:35 > 0:06:39And I won't tell you what I would like to do if I got hold of them.
0:06:39 > 0:06:42- Well, hopefully the police will get to them before you do.- Yes.
0:06:42 > 0:06:44You just feel an invasion of privacy.
0:06:44 > 0:06:48Particularly, without any thought for people or individuals.
0:06:48 > 0:06:50And all for the sake of a few quid.
0:06:50 > 0:06:54Because if they're going to try and off-load these in a local pub,
0:06:54 > 0:06:56they're not going to get a lot for them.
0:06:56 > 0:06:58You know, we've got our security experts who can come in
0:06:58 > 0:07:01and have a look where the weak points are.
0:07:01 > 0:07:04Well, yeah, that would be good. I mean, it's always good to get another pair of eyes
0:07:04 > 0:07:06and particularly expert eyes, is good, yeah,
0:07:06 > 0:07:08to give the look over and provide that advice,
0:07:08 > 0:07:11so I will be grateful for that, most certainly.
0:07:11 > 0:07:14'No-one should be made to feel violated in their own home
0:07:14 > 0:07:16'and Ken is understandably upset.
0:07:16 > 0:07:19'We need to make him feel safe once again.'
0:07:19 > 0:07:22Those old wooden windows at the back of Ken's house made it
0:07:22 > 0:07:27easy for the burglar to get in, by removing the entire pane of glass.
0:07:27 > 0:07:30Talk about a window of opportunity!
0:07:30 > 0:07:33Ken is in the process of changing these to more secure ones.
0:07:33 > 0:07:36But for now, they are being nailed shut.
0:07:36 > 0:07:39So, it looks like burglars are definitely operating in this area.
0:07:39 > 0:07:41What I want to make sure,
0:07:41 > 0:07:44is that they don't get tempted to come back to Ken's place.
0:07:44 > 0:07:47I've asked Crime Reduction Officer Nick Whitcombe for his expert
0:07:47 > 0:07:51opinion on how we can make this house LESS appealing to burglars' eyes.
0:07:51 > 0:07:55- This is the place. - What a rubbish alarm box.
0:07:57 > 0:08:01'Nick is not a man to mince his words when it comes to home security.
0:08:01 > 0:08:04'He puts himself into the mind-set of a burglar,
0:08:04 > 0:08:06'to spot any weaknesses they might see.
0:08:08 > 0:08:14'This garden is full of tools that could be used by a burglar to break in.'
0:08:14 > 0:08:17All right, Nick? So, that's where they got in.
0:08:17 > 0:08:19What do you make of it?
0:08:19 > 0:08:24As soon as you come round the corner, instantly it looks bad.
0:08:24 > 0:08:28All these little marks. They've taken the beading out.
0:08:28 > 0:08:33Beading out, whole window out, nice and quiet, place it down somewhere.
0:08:33 > 0:08:36You've got your big escape route. You don't have to open the window.
0:08:36 > 0:08:38And they've been fairly brazen because there's
0:08:38 > 0:08:41lights all over this place, you know, security lighting.
0:08:41 > 0:08:45He's got that down the side. At the back, he's got one of those sensors.
0:08:45 > 0:08:49What happens when the light comes on? They duck down.
0:08:49 > 0:08:52Glance up at the window, see if anybody looks out, do they look out?
0:08:52 > 0:08:54- Not usually.- No.
0:08:54 > 0:08:57They are going to be replaced, these windows, as they should be.
0:08:57 > 0:09:00As everybody's should be, because they are rubbish.
0:09:00 > 0:09:05Stop a burglar getting to the back of your premises if you possibly can.
0:09:05 > 0:09:07This is just a small gap.
0:09:07 > 0:09:13Why not fill it with a decent security gate?
0:09:13 > 0:09:15Nick is not impressed.
0:09:15 > 0:09:19I'm not holding out much hope for a high security score for this house.
0:09:19 > 0:09:22I'm going to give it a...
0:09:22 > 0:09:24- four.- Four? As low as that?
0:09:24 > 0:09:28It's only getting a four because he was lucky.
0:09:28 > 0:09:30He's lost his computers.
0:09:30 > 0:09:32He could have lost an awful lot more.
0:09:34 > 0:09:37'Looks like we've got our work cut out to sort out this place.
0:09:37 > 0:09:41'Time to call in the man who can. Security expert Neil Goldup.
0:09:41 > 0:09:46- Hello, Neil speaking?- Hi, Neil. It's Dan.- Hi, Dan.- All right, mate.
0:09:46 > 0:09:49Listen, I've been out to another burglary
0:09:49 > 0:09:52and there's been a fair few in the same street.
0:09:52 > 0:09:56It sounds like we've got a fairly determined burglar out there.
0:09:56 > 0:10:01- All right.- Are you all right to come over and take a look at this place?
0:10:01 > 0:10:03I think there's a fair bit needs doing.
0:10:03 > 0:10:05Right, yeah, yeah, of course I will.
0:10:05 > 0:10:10- Just send me the details and I'll get round to you and see what I can do.- Nice one, Neil.
0:10:10 > 0:10:12'We'll be back later with a bag full of security tricks
0:10:12 > 0:10:16'to improve Ken's home and stop any burglars in their tracks.'
0:10:18 > 0:10:21In South Wales, the small village of Baglan, near Swansea,
0:10:21 > 0:10:24is the scene of another burglary.
0:10:45 > 0:10:5077-year-old former missionary Jean has come home to find the door panel
0:10:50 > 0:10:54prised open and her possessions rifled through.
0:10:54 > 0:10:57- I had some necklaces...- OK.
0:10:57 > 0:11:00- ..and I could see that they'd all been opened.- Yeah.
0:11:00 > 0:11:02She's lived here alone for six years
0:11:02 > 0:11:05after inheriting it from her late sister.
0:11:05 > 0:11:08Jean regularly volunteers at food banks and local charities,
0:11:08 > 0:11:10and was returning from a shopping trip
0:11:10 > 0:11:12when she uncovered the burglary.
0:11:12 > 0:11:15Which room was disturbed? Which room had they gone into?
0:11:15 > 0:11:18- The back room, the bedroom that I sleep in.- The back bedroom, yeah?
0:11:18 > 0:11:20Back bedroom, yes, yes.
0:11:20 > 0:11:24It's so sad to see something like this happen to her in her own home,
0:11:24 > 0:11:26especially as she's living alone.
0:11:26 > 0:11:30But PC Rachel Hawkins says she's coping better than expected.
0:11:30 > 0:11:33Cos an elderly person like Jean in a house on her own,
0:11:33 > 0:11:37is going to be a bit shook up by something like this, aren't they?
0:11:37 > 0:11:40Completely. And as we would identify, she's a vulnerable victim.
0:11:40 > 0:11:44I wouldn't say all people Jean's age would take it like Jean.
0:11:44 > 0:11:45You know, she's quite...
0:11:45 > 0:11:47She's quite sprightly, she's very...
0:11:47 > 0:11:49Seems very independent.
0:11:49 > 0:11:51It's amazing how well she's holding up
0:11:51 > 0:11:54after such a traumatic experience.
0:11:54 > 0:11:56I mean, he's obviously stood there, cos that...
0:11:56 > 0:11:59This was in there. This...
0:11:59 > 0:12:04- So this briefcase has been removed from the wardrobe? OK.- Yes.
0:12:04 > 0:12:07She's even got a smile on her face.
0:12:07 > 0:12:08What a positive lady.
0:12:08 > 0:12:12- And there's nothing in there. - Nothing in there.
0:12:12 > 0:12:15The next morning, I'm back to see how Jean's feeling.
0:12:15 > 0:12:20I went out at about 10 o'clock in the morning,
0:12:20 > 0:12:23I came back about quarter to three,
0:12:23 > 0:12:25opened the front door with my key,
0:12:25 > 0:12:28walked in, as I normally do, everything seemed to be fine,
0:12:28 > 0:12:32and then I became suddenly aware of cold draught
0:12:32 > 0:12:35coming down the passageway, so I looked out towards the kitchen
0:12:35 > 0:12:39and, to my amazement and horror, really,
0:12:39 > 0:12:42I saw that my back door had been kicked in.
0:12:43 > 0:12:46You know, I could have been here when he walked in.
0:12:46 > 0:12:49You know, that would have been even more difficult, I think.
0:12:49 > 0:12:50And, you know, I was safe.
0:12:50 > 0:12:55Unbelievably, this isn't the first time her house has been broken into.
0:12:55 > 0:12:56She was burgled three years ago
0:12:56 > 0:13:00and most of her valuables were taken then. It really is sickening.
0:13:00 > 0:13:03I used to go out, lock the doors, make sure the windows were...
0:13:03 > 0:13:06I never thought...
0:13:06 > 0:13:09about anybody breaking into the house again.
0:13:09 > 0:13:13But I think one of the things that upset me,
0:13:13 > 0:13:17really, was the thought of someone being in my house.
0:13:17 > 0:13:21And, you know, your house is, sort of, violated, really, isn't it?
0:13:21 > 0:13:23Somebody comes into your own space,
0:13:23 > 0:13:26and that was, I think, one of the things that upset me.
0:13:26 > 0:13:30And, you know, that's not a very nice experience.
0:13:30 > 0:13:34It's enough to frighten anyone, but Jean's a tough cookie.
0:13:34 > 0:13:36She hasn't always lived in South Wales
0:13:36 > 0:13:41and her experiences overseas have put things into perspective.
0:13:41 > 0:13:43I worked abroad in Nepal,
0:13:43 > 0:13:47in the Himalayas, for about 25 years.
0:13:47 > 0:13:50I worked in a Christian medical hospital.
0:13:50 > 0:13:52I mean, there were times, too, when it was quite hard
0:13:52 > 0:13:56and, you know, it wasn't always joy and sunshine,
0:13:56 > 0:13:59but, you know, I worked in the Christian mission,
0:13:59 > 0:14:02I'm a Christian and I believe that this is what God wanted me to do.
0:14:02 > 0:14:07And, you know, I believe that we had strength every day to carry on.
0:14:07 > 0:14:10When it was pretty hard going, sometimes. Yeah.
0:14:10 > 0:14:13I think it's fair to say that there's probably a few things
0:14:13 > 0:14:17that could be done to the house to improve the security.
0:14:17 > 0:14:20I would appreciate that very much indeed.
0:14:20 > 0:14:22That would be very nice and very kind.
0:14:25 > 0:14:28It's really upset me, talking to Jean.
0:14:28 > 0:14:29She's a lovely woman,
0:14:29 > 0:14:31who's given up so much of her life caring for others.
0:14:31 > 0:14:35Now she's been burgled TWICE in just a few years
0:14:35 > 0:14:38and some really sentimental things have been stolen.
0:14:38 > 0:14:41We need to make sure that this doesn't happen again.
0:14:41 > 0:14:45'So we'll get our experts on board to help make Jean feel safe
0:14:45 > 0:14:46'in her home again.'
0:14:52 > 0:14:56Back in Leeds, and we're about to give a security uplift to Ken's house
0:14:56 > 0:15:00after he was burgled while he was asleep in bed.
0:15:00 > 0:15:02Neil is already on the scene
0:15:02 > 0:15:05and measuring up this open space at the back of the house.
0:15:05 > 0:15:07Great stuff.
0:15:07 > 0:15:09- Hi, Neil.- Hiya, Dan. - What's the plan?
0:15:09 > 0:15:13The plan is we're going to block this off so nobody can walk through.
0:15:13 > 0:15:16- Yeah.- So I've made a gate. Going to hang the gate
0:15:16 > 0:15:18and then we're going to put some feathered-edge fencing
0:15:18 > 0:15:20just up here and then...
0:15:20 > 0:15:22put some Prikka-Strip on top, so nobody's climbing over.
0:15:22 > 0:15:25- Make it nice and secure for him. - Good. Too easy, that, wasn't it?
0:15:25 > 0:15:28- Yeah, yeah, it's just an open invitation for someone to walk through.- Yeah.
0:15:28 > 0:15:32Lots of stuff in the garden that they could use to break-in to the house.
0:15:32 > 0:15:34There's lots of stuff to do in the house, as well, so...
0:15:34 > 0:15:37- Yeah? What's the plan in the house? - Alarm system.
0:15:37 > 0:15:38He's got a couple of cats.
0:15:38 > 0:15:40So we can't put any sensors in any of the rooms,
0:15:40 > 0:15:42cos they've got free run of the house,
0:15:42 > 0:15:44so we're going to put contacts all over entry points
0:15:44 > 0:15:47and cover it that way. So if anybody comes in through the window,
0:15:47 > 0:15:50like they did last time, it will start ringing the bells outside.
0:15:50 > 0:15:54- Great. I'll give you a hand. - OK, then.- Coats off.
0:15:54 > 0:15:56'Time to roll up me sleeves and get involved.'
0:16:00 > 0:16:05- I think we could do with some wigs! - My head's a bit cold, as well.
0:16:05 > 0:16:07You need a hat, mate!
0:16:07 > 0:16:09DRILL WHIRS
0:16:09 > 0:16:11There she goes.
0:16:13 > 0:16:16- I love watching you work, Neil. - Do you?- Yeah, yeah.
0:16:16 > 0:16:18You're like the Picasso of fence posting.
0:16:18 > 0:16:22- Something wrong there. - DAN LAUGHS
0:16:26 > 0:16:28I've chickened out and put a hat on!
0:16:28 > 0:16:30I've had enough. I'm freezing.
0:16:32 > 0:16:34I'm not just here for me good looks.
0:16:34 > 0:16:37- You're wasted doing this presenting thing, Dan.- I know.
0:16:43 > 0:16:47- I'm proud of that.- Yeah.- That's looking good.- It is. It's good.
0:16:47 > 0:16:50'I reckon that might be some of me finest handiwork.'
0:16:50 > 0:16:52Done.
0:16:52 > 0:16:54'I'm pretty positive no burglar will go through this gate,
0:16:54 > 0:16:57'but to make sure they don't try to go over it,
0:16:57 > 0:17:01'we're covering the top with some defensive spikes.
0:17:01 > 0:17:04'Hedges can provide privacy for your home,
0:17:04 > 0:17:07'but they can also provide cover for burglars.
0:17:07 > 0:17:10'So good guy Aaron is giving these the chop.'
0:17:10 > 0:17:13I mean, these leylandii, they're murder, aren't they?
0:17:13 > 0:17:18Well, they are if you let them get on top of you.
0:17:18 > 0:17:21Yeah, yeah. So I think long-term this is going to go,
0:17:21 > 0:17:27but for the meantime we've reduced it down, so that everyone can see.
0:17:27 > 0:17:30If there's a burglar hanging about, anyone passing will see them.
0:17:34 > 0:17:36'Neil's upgrading the alarm
0:17:36 > 0:17:39'with one that's a lot easier to switch on and off.'
0:17:39 > 0:17:42ALARM BLARES
0:17:42 > 0:17:45To turn the alarm on, all you do, top button, turns your alarm on,
0:17:45 > 0:17:47you'll hear it beep once outside.
0:17:47 > 0:17:50To turn it off, the bottom button.
0:17:50 > 0:17:52You'll hear it beep twice outside.
0:17:52 > 0:17:55That plus sign there is your emergency alarm.
0:17:55 > 0:17:58If you're in bed or you want to set your alarm off for any reason,
0:17:58 > 0:18:01just keep your finger on that, three to five seconds,
0:18:01 > 0:18:02and it sets your alarm off.
0:18:05 > 0:18:10- Neil, all done?- Done. - Fantastic.
0:18:10 > 0:18:12- Right, so we've got it all nice and secure.- Yeah.
0:18:12 > 0:18:15- Can't get in round the back.- No. - Alarm's in. Nice one.
0:18:15 > 0:18:18Yeah, yeah. Spot on. It's... I've enjoyed this one.
0:18:18 > 0:18:20'Nice one, Neil.
0:18:20 > 0:18:23'But he's conveniently left me to get on with the clearing up.
0:18:23 > 0:18:26'Does Keeley have to do this?!'
0:18:26 > 0:18:27Got it.
0:18:27 > 0:18:32'Hopefully, all of this graft will bump up that security score.
0:18:32 > 0:18:36'I'll have you know I do my fair share, thank you, Dan.
0:18:39 > 0:18:42'Now, back in South Wales, Crime Reduction Officer Mary
0:18:42 > 0:18:45'is on a mission and is heading to Jean's house.
0:18:47 > 0:18:49'Mary is casting her expert eye over the house
0:18:49 > 0:18:53'to suggest any improvements we could make.
0:18:53 > 0:18:54'It's a neighbourly area
0:18:54 > 0:18:57'and Jean's gardener was first on the scene
0:18:57 > 0:18:59'to fit a lock to the gate.
0:18:59 > 0:19:02'But there's still plenty to do.
0:19:02 > 0:19:04'So what's Mary's assessment?'
0:19:04 > 0:19:06When I've looked at the house,
0:19:06 > 0:19:08she has got multi-locking windows and doors.
0:19:08 > 0:19:11However, they've targeted the back door.
0:19:11 > 0:19:13They haven't been able to get through it,
0:19:13 > 0:19:15they've tried to chisel their way through,
0:19:15 > 0:19:19- hasn't come through, but they've actually gone through the panel. - So the lock's OK...- Yeah.
0:19:19 > 0:19:21- ..but we're just a bit concerned about the panel?- But the panel.
0:19:21 > 0:19:25There's stepladders here. Easy to use...
0:19:25 > 0:19:29if a window was open. Ideally, the stepladder and the ladders,
0:19:29 > 0:19:30I would like to see chained up.
0:19:30 > 0:19:33The shed near the back of the house is open
0:19:33 > 0:19:35and it's got numerous tools in there.
0:19:35 > 0:19:38Ideally, for this property, I would like a burglar alarm,
0:19:38 > 0:19:42because if an alarm went off in this property,
0:19:42 > 0:19:44her neighbours would pop in, they'd have a look.
0:19:44 > 0:19:46"Jean, are you OK? What's happening?"
0:19:46 > 0:19:49- Particularly now they know that she's been burgled.- Exactly.
0:19:49 > 0:19:51So there's a few basic things we can put in -
0:19:51 > 0:19:55- an alarm, secure the door and maybe some extra padlocks...- Yes.
0:19:55 > 0:19:59- ..on the back of the house. - Just to make things more difficult.
0:19:59 > 0:20:01And we're replacing her old security light,
0:20:01 > 0:20:03so we've got a lot to be getting on with.
0:20:03 > 0:20:05I'm calling in the cavalry -
0:20:05 > 0:20:09we've got a band of four merry men to fix up the house.
0:20:09 > 0:20:11Tony starts by tackling the gate,
0:20:11 > 0:20:15to beef up its security and stop burglars getting round the back.
0:20:17 > 0:20:20- Hi there, Tony.- Hi. - My, you're a tall boy, aren't you?
0:20:20 > 0:20:21- How did Dan cope?- Not very well.
0:20:21 > 0:20:24- Did you get him a little stool to chat to you?!- I did, yeah.
0:20:24 > 0:20:27'Sorry, Dan! OK, we've sorted the gate.
0:20:27 > 0:20:31'It's now got not one, not two, but three locks on it.'
0:20:31 > 0:20:33Slow and steady. There you go.
0:20:33 > 0:20:35'That should do it.
0:20:35 > 0:20:38'And it's all hands on deck to help the lovely Jean.
0:20:38 > 0:20:41'Lyndon's trying to shed some light on the situation.'
0:20:41 > 0:20:43- And this is for the security light outside?- For the security light,
0:20:43 > 0:20:47which we're going to put just the other side of the waste there.
0:20:47 > 0:20:50'A security light will help brighten Jean's back garden.
0:20:50 > 0:20:54'Potential burglars won't have anywhere to hide.
0:20:54 > 0:20:56'Tony's changing the locks on the bathroom windows.
0:20:56 > 0:21:00'They're extra secure ones, no-one is getting in here in a hurry.
0:21:02 > 0:21:05'And it's a good job those locks are going on -
0:21:05 > 0:21:09'I'm not sure this beautiful cat, Poppy, would put intruders off!'
0:21:09 > 0:21:10This says it all.
0:21:14 > 0:21:17'Hang on, I haven't seen Tony for a while.'
0:21:19 > 0:21:20- Tony?- Hello?
0:21:20 > 0:21:22What are you doing in there?
0:21:22 > 0:21:24I'm fixing the toilet roll holder.
0:21:24 > 0:21:27- Is this security?- Erm, yes.
0:21:27 > 0:21:29Honestly!
0:21:29 > 0:21:32- You big softie.- Well... - Go on, go on.
0:21:32 > 0:21:35She's got them wrapped round her finger, all these boys.
0:21:35 > 0:21:37'And deservedly so.
0:21:37 > 0:21:41'These boys really are going the extra mile to help Jean out.
0:21:41 > 0:21:43'There's activity all over the house.
0:21:43 > 0:21:45'I've got the boys fitting high-security padlocks
0:21:45 > 0:21:50'and securing those ladders, making sure burglars can't get a leg up.
0:21:50 > 0:21:54'There's also a house alarm, which we're tweaking to make cat friendly,
0:21:54 > 0:21:57'so there's no excuse not to set it now.
0:21:57 > 0:22:01'And alarm expert Gavin talks Jean through the easy-to-use system
0:22:01 > 0:22:03'to make sure she's got it.'
0:22:03 > 0:22:06And it'll tell you that it's going into exit mode.
0:22:06 > 0:22:08'So, how's Jean feeling now?'
0:22:08 > 0:22:10Well, Jean, I have never seen so many men
0:22:10 > 0:22:13all running around after one woman as today!
0:22:13 > 0:22:16I know, it's been absolutely fantastic.
0:22:16 > 0:22:19All these men doing all these lovely jobs for me,
0:22:19 > 0:22:21which I've really, greatly appreciated.
0:22:21 > 0:22:24I can't tell you how much I appreciate them.
0:22:24 > 0:22:26How are you feeling about things now?
0:22:26 > 0:22:28Well, I'm feeling a lot happier.
0:22:28 > 0:22:31I feel that my home is much more secure than it was before.
0:22:31 > 0:22:34I still, you know... I'm a bit apprehensive,
0:22:34 > 0:22:36and, you know, the thought of having been burgled twice
0:22:36 > 0:22:40in such a short period of time has unnerved me quite a bit.
0:22:40 > 0:22:42And, out of my misfortune,
0:22:42 > 0:22:45I've been blessed with all of these things that have been done for me.
0:22:45 > 0:22:47And I'm just so grateful.
0:22:48 > 0:22:51I'm so much happier that we've been able to set things straight
0:22:51 > 0:22:54for Jean and that she's actually got something positive
0:22:54 > 0:22:55out of this experience.
0:22:55 > 0:22:58Although I'm pretty sure that Poppy will be glad to see the back
0:22:58 > 0:22:59of all our drilling!
0:22:59 > 0:23:03The bottom line is Jean feels and is safer again in her home.
0:23:06 > 0:23:09Back in Leeds and it's crunch time.
0:23:09 > 0:23:13Nick has returned to Ken's house to inspect our handiwork and hopefully
0:23:13 > 0:23:17raise that very poor original security score of just four.
0:23:19 > 0:23:22So my man Aaron's been hard at work on the hedge.
0:23:22 > 0:23:26Yeah, it's about two foot lower and it opens up surveillance
0:23:26 > 0:23:29for all the upper floors of the houses opposite.
0:23:29 > 0:23:33Further improvement, we're looking at layers.
0:23:33 > 0:23:37The layers of protection for this property...
0:23:37 > 0:23:42some of which were already in place, the doors, the lights,
0:23:42 > 0:23:45but the burglar ignored them.
0:23:45 > 0:23:47He just takes potluck,
0:23:47 > 0:23:51goes round the back, and he drops lucky there,
0:23:51 > 0:23:52because the windows are rubbish.
0:23:52 > 0:23:55And there was no barrier to him getting round there.
0:23:55 > 0:23:59- See what you make of it now. - Let's have a look, then, shall we?
0:24:09 > 0:24:12'It doesn't get much better than a double thumbs up from Nick!
0:24:12 > 0:24:16'I knew that'd impress him. It just needs a lick of paint now.
0:24:16 > 0:24:20'He seems to be having a thorough inspection.'
0:24:20 > 0:24:22Right, let's see what he thinks of our handiwork.
0:24:25 > 0:24:28Nick, what do you reckon?
0:24:30 > 0:24:32Very impressive, that gate, Dan.
0:24:32 > 0:24:34- Did you do that yourself?- Oh, aye!
0:24:34 > 0:24:35- You did?- Yeah.
0:24:35 > 0:24:38I can't see anywhere where all the matchsticks
0:24:38 > 0:24:41- have been stuck together, it's fantastic.- Yeah, yeah, thanks(!)
0:24:41 > 0:24:44- You put the spikes on the top, didn't you?- No, I built the fence!
0:24:44 > 0:24:48Just cos... Just cos I'm on telly, don't make me Lionel Blair!
0:24:48 > 0:24:51- I can do a bit of graft! - It's very good.- Yeah?
0:24:51 > 0:24:54It is the layer that is required
0:24:54 > 0:25:00to stop people from that direction getting into this back garden.
0:25:00 > 0:25:02Now, Ken's place is under renovation at the moment,
0:25:02 > 0:25:05so a lot of this will change,
0:25:05 > 0:25:10- but we've screwed down the windows as a temporary measure.- Yeah.
0:25:10 > 0:25:11So we've done what we can.
0:25:11 > 0:25:13We know what's going to happen to this,
0:25:13 > 0:25:17it's going to have good quality window fittings in it.
0:25:17 > 0:25:20Last time you gave the place a four out of ten for security.
0:25:20 > 0:25:24Bear in mind, there's renovations going on.
0:25:24 > 0:25:25Now that you've seen what we've done,
0:25:25 > 0:25:28what would be your security assessment out of ten now?
0:25:28 > 0:25:30Four previously, we're ignoring the windows,
0:25:30 > 0:25:33we know what quality they're going to be,
0:25:33 > 0:25:36we know they're going to be done in the next few days...
0:25:36 > 0:25:37I think this can...
0:25:37 > 0:25:40- I'm going to give this an 8.5. - Oh, fantastic!
0:25:40 > 0:25:44- Is that my best ever? - Oh, fantastic!- Is it?
0:25:44 > 0:25:46- I'm pleased with that.- It might be my best ever, that.- Yeah.
0:25:46 > 0:25:48I know Ken's going to be pleased with that, as well.
0:25:48 > 0:25:51That's going to be really good.
0:25:51 > 0:25:53'I'm chuffed by that new score.
0:25:53 > 0:25:56'Let's hope the man of the house is, too.'
0:25:56 > 0:26:00- Ken, you all right?- Dan, how do you do?- Not bad, not bad.
0:26:00 > 0:26:01Let's see what you think.
0:26:01 > 0:26:04Well, it's quite a difference, that, isn't it, really?
0:26:04 > 0:26:08I mean, lose a bit of privacy, but security.
0:26:08 > 0:26:09- A lot better now.- Yeah.
0:26:09 > 0:26:13Now, it's been a couple of days since the burglary. How have you been?
0:26:13 > 0:26:15I think house security is something you take for granted.
0:26:15 > 0:26:19Until something happens you. And then you realise, in fact,
0:26:19 > 0:26:22yeah, where the shortcomings are and what needs to be done.
0:26:22 > 0:26:24Well, one of our main concerns
0:26:24 > 0:26:27was how easy it was just to wander through to the back.
0:26:27 > 0:26:29- So let's have a look-see.- OK.
0:26:32 > 0:26:36- Ken, before there was absolutely nothing here.- Open space, straight the way through.
0:26:36 > 0:26:40No, it's perfect and it blends in so well with everything else.
0:26:40 > 0:26:44Oh, fantastic. So I can tell you that Nick was impressed, as well.
0:26:44 > 0:26:47Last time, when he came round here, straight after the break-in,
0:26:47 > 0:26:50- he only gave the place four out of ten for security.- Really?
0:26:50 > 0:26:54Now that he's seen the improvements, he's given it 8.5 out of 10.
0:26:54 > 0:26:56That's very heartening.
0:26:56 > 0:26:58Twice as secure, it would appear to be, then,
0:26:58 > 0:26:59- if it's gone from 4 to 8.5.- Yeah.
0:26:59 > 0:27:01So that can only be good.
0:27:01 > 0:27:03And it's what it's done to the house,
0:27:03 > 0:27:06but what it's done to me, as well, being able to feel that more secure.
0:27:06 > 0:27:10Cos I think that's the important thing. So, yeah, everything seems to be brilliant.
0:27:10 > 0:27:12- Thank you very much to everybody. - Hey, no problem.
0:27:12 > 0:27:16- And to your guys who've done it all so quickly for me, as well. See you.- All the best.- Cheers.
0:27:16 > 0:27:18'At the moment, the police investigation
0:27:18 > 0:27:21'into this ruthless burglar hasn't turned up any leads.
0:27:21 > 0:27:24'But the case is being held on file.'
0:27:25 > 0:27:27With Ken's hedge cut down to size,
0:27:27 > 0:27:29there's no more hiding in the shadows.
0:27:29 > 0:27:31Burglars, take note.
0:27:31 > 0:27:33And it's great that Jean's a lot happier now
0:27:33 > 0:27:35that she's got a cat-friendly alarm.
0:27:35 > 0:27:38Purr-fect result. That's it for now.
0:27:38 > 0:27:39- Bye-bye.- See you next time.