Passport Panic Break-in Britain - The Crackdown

Every minute of every day, someone somewhere is getting burgled.

Doesn't sound good.

With an average of 92 break-ins an hour, it is a huge problem.

It never ceases to amaze me

how much mess these burglars cause for people.

For the victims of these crimes,

it can take months or even years to overcome the trauma.

How dare they!

Out of order. Out of order!

I felt sick. Somebody has been in my house.

I don't want to drive up to a building and see it trashed again.

But in this series, we are fighting back against the burglar...

Police forcing entry! Police!

..helping you to beef up your security...

Here we go.

..while the police catch the criminals.

How are you feeling about things now?

Oh, I feel loads better. Loads better.

This is...

Hello again.

Now, it is never nice to get burgled, but sometimes it is made even worse

when the things that are taken have a special value.

It's just...it's heartbreaking.

For Christmas, Pete bought me my flight.

And now, I don't know. It could all be in jeopardy. I don't know.

Later on, I have got the case of a laptop,

complete with confidential data, that was stolen from a flat.

I want to know what we can all do to protect our computers.

-They've had a good poke around in here.

-Yeah, they have.

-And you're going to have to kip in here tonight.

-I'll be all right.

As long as they get the window secured or something like that,

it'll be all right.

But first, Joan and Pete from Leeds had already had a very bad week

when they returned home from a hospital appointment

to find they'd been burgled.

At just after mid-day, an emergency call comes in to the police in Leeds.

When I arrive a short time later,

Joan's already giving a statement to the police.

Problem is round here, you know, we're like a little community here

-with all old people and this will scare them now.

-Yeah.

Grandmother-of-three Joan and her husband, Pete,

were away for just a few hours.

But in that time, an intruder somehow managed to squeeze through

this tiny window to steal from their bedroom.

-They have pulled it open, climbed in through it.

-Right!

Through that little window.

Because there's a footprint on the windowsill there

-where he's come in.

-Right.

And then he's done what he was doing and then gone out of that one.

That was wide open.

The police think the burglar may have been disturbed

because he didn't get any further than their bedroom.

Small consolation to a very house-proud lady.

Couldn't believe it.

You know, there was just dirty footprints everywhere,

there was drawers left open.

Of course, there were that I saw missing.

And it was just the shock of walking in and seeing that.

And all this mud everywhere.

He'd been in the wardrobes.

On the handles of the wardrobes there's dirt

that he'd obviously got on his hands.

And it was just everywhere.

-Because your house is absolutely spotless.

-Well, I hope so.

Joan and Pete - who are both in chronically ill health -

moved to this bungalow to make life a little easier.

But poor Joan, who suffers from both severe back pain

and rheumatoid arthritis, is just realising that

living on the ground floor comes with particular security concerns.

I feel stupid for leaving the window open. I feel as if...

..it's my fault.

But then again, it isn't, because nothing gives anybody the right

to come into my property, to my home and take anything.

You know, no-one has that right.

Two watches have been stolen, along with a crystal,

which was a gift from a dear friend who passed away.

But for Joan - who's about to fly out to see her family in Australia -

the greatest concern is for her missing passport.

When did you last see your daughter?

-Three years ago.

-So, you're desperate to see her, then?

I am very... Sorry, I'm very desperate. Yeah.

We've had a bad week.

And, um...

..it's just...it's heartbreaking.

You know, this is a once-in-a-lifetime.

We sold our property to move into this bungalow,

because I was given it due to my disabilities.

And of the proceeds that we made from the sale of our flat,

for Christmas, Pete bought me my flight.

And now, I don't know. It could all be in jeopardy. I don't know.

I don't know what I'm going to have...

I've just got to try and sort things out, but...

..you know, it's just not fair. It's not fair.

If only these people could see what they did.

Joan and Pete are at the end of their tether.

The last thing they need right now is to have to cancel that passport

and order another.

I'm sure her neighbours are feeling concerned too.

-This is a close community, isn't it?

-It is, yeah.

-People look out for each other here.

-Yeah.

-So, you're hoping that will help you.

-We hope so.

-He must have been quite small to get through that window.

-Yeah.

Looking at that, I would suggest so, yeah.

So, looking, obviously, for a small chap.

We've got a description from a neighbour, so that's being

circulated for the lines of inquiry to follow, hopefully.

Let's hope that one of their neighbours can help the police

find the intruder.

But right now, I want to make Joan and Pete feel secure again.

Well, what we would like to do for you,

to make sure that you do feel safe again,

is get our security guy to come round, have a chat with you,

see whether you need an alarm fitting, some extra security lights,

some extra locks on the windows.

Cos I don't like the thought of you getting upset

-and feeling bad about it.

-That'd be lovely, yeah.

-We'll get this sorted.

-Thank you very much. I appreciate it.

We won't need the tissues.

Over 80% of burglary victims are emotionally affected

by the experience

and a significant number suffer panic attacks.

But on top of that, Joan has the worry of cancelling her passport

and hoping she'll get another in time to fly.

She needs our help and the first step is a visit, a few days later,

from Crime Reduction Officer Richard Thornton.

He'll restore her peace of mind.

Someone climbing through your bedroom window

has really affected you, hasn't it?

Of course, yeah. I haven't slept well.

I keep breaking out in tears and...

I never thought it would affect me...so much as it has.

It has really frightened me.

I am forever checking doors, checking windows.

If we go out - is everything locked? You know, and...

I want to go back to my flat.

I want to go back to where we've just sold to come here.

And I know I can't, because this is for my health

that I have this bungalow, my mobility problems,

where the other flat wasn't suitable.

But I felt safe in there. I felt secure. I was upstairs.

Richard's almost finished his report.

He just needs to look around the garden.

High marks for the low hedges and fences,

meaning that the back of the house is very visible.

But the garden shed could be a problem.

Wouldn't take a huge amount of force for me to pull that off.

There's quite a lot of equipment in the shed, which is poorly defended

-at this moment in time.

-The shed is not very secure?

-No.

No, it's... The construction of it lends itself to be a target.

And of course, the things that are inside it

are a potential thief's paradise, shall we say.

-To then use it to get into the house.

-Of course, yeah.

The means to commit crime.

Sounds like we need to do something about that, then.

But what about the house itself?

The main locks on the doors are a really good standard,

so I am happy with the doors. That is not a problem.

The locking systems on the windows is a very good locking system.

When they are closed and locked shut, they are difficult to open.

But of course our burglar sneaked in through the window

left open to keep things aired.

We've all done it!

So, leaving windows open on a ground floor, just a big no-no?

It is, really.

But I think it would benefit greatly from an alarm system.

The new alarm systems nowadays

have got panic buttons on and things like that, so...

Certainly if you've got elderly or vulnerable people

who live in a property, it is like a little bit more reassurance as well.

So, what would you score this property out of ten for security?

I think at this particular point, we'd probably be looking at 6/10.

So, some really good security points, this house,

like the windows and the doors,

-but still room for improvement.

-Absolutely.

Bungalows can be a bit of a security challenge,

but I really hope we can find a way

to let in the fresh air that Joan loves.

Time to make a call to a man who knows a lot about these things -

security expert Neil Goldup.

-'Hello, Neil speaking.'

-Hello, Neil, it's Keeley.

-'Hiya, Keeley.'

-Hello. I am just at a couple's house.

They have had a burglar sneak through an open window at the back

and we could do with your help.

There's quite a few things that I think you could install

to help improve the security on this house.

Shall I bob the details over to the?

'Yeah, do that and I'll get round to it straightaway for you.'

Lovely. Thanks, Neil.

-Thanks for your help.

-'OK, then.'

-Bye.

-'Bye.'

Although some burglars do prey on older folk,

the statistics show that young people are more likely to be victims.

Dan's just had news of a young man, elsewhere in the city,

who's suffered a break-in.

This is his call.

It's a freezing cold night in Leeds, but that's not deterred

the burglars. They have been at it again.

I don't know too much about this break-in, but I'm going to go

and catch up with the police now and find out what's been going on.

The low-lives have really done a job here.

IT worker Joe is struggling to come to terms with it.

-What time did you return, Joe?

-Just a few minutes past eight.

-Just after eight o'clock?

-Yeah.

Joe has lived in this flat for less than six months.

Break-ins are not unknown in this area...

but no-one expects burglars to smash their way in like this.

A couple of people said moving into a ground floor flat

round this area is probably not the best thing to happen, but...

It looks like they made off with a gaming console

and at least two laptops.

27-year-old Joe works as a trainee in a government department

and it's his work computer that he's most worried about.

-It's a nuisance, isn't it, like?

-It is.

Especially when I've waited four and a half months for that laptop,

had it two weeks and it is gone.

I mean, you've got work data on there, I guess.

The laptop is encrypted,

so they won't be getting to anything that they shouldn't be.

Unless they're, like, computer geniuses,

-and I'm guessing that they're not.

-No.

-I mean, this is a government laptop, so...

-Is it?

..they're not getting through that encryption.

Well, let's hope our secrets are safe, then.

The smash-and-grab merchants who did this

certainly don't strike me as criminal masterminds.

They smashed a window. I don't know if you saw,

but they've actually ripped the window out as well.

They've not just crawled in, they've proper had a go at it.

How do you feel about it?

-Um...I'll live.

-Yeah.

-Erm...

Not the best thing to happen in a day, obviously, but...

-..oh, well.

-Mm.

Young Joe's putting a brave face on things,

but I think he's quite shaken up.

-They've been through all these drawers here?

-Yeah.

That's where everything's just been piled onto the bed.

-They have done that?

-Oh, yeah. It's not always like this, honestly!

-No.

It's tidier than my place. At least he's left your shin pads, anyway.

-He's obviously not a footballer.

-No.

It's not nice, though,

knowing that some grotty little individual has been round.

It's not great. Um...

Obviously people always say that's the worst thing, isn't it? So...

Joe's clearly anxious,

like any of us would feel after such a destructive break-in.

They've had a good poke around in here

and you're going to have to kip in here tonight.

I'll be all right.

As long as they get the window secured or something like that,

it'll be all right.

I just hope we can catch who did this.

It certainly looks like they might have left a few clues

amongst all this mess.

Is that big black print in there any good to you at all?

The carpet, you get very little detail.

You don't get the same kind of detail you will get

when it's on a nice surface like that.

That almost looks like a forensic slide for a footprint.

Every person's footwear will be unique to them

because of the way they walk

and the way they get little marks and nicks in their shoes.

That's great evidence!

It's amazing the burglar didn't cut himself on all that glass

and leave some DNA behind.

But it does seem there might be another great clue.

-Can you see on that bar there?

-Oh, yeah.

We'll see where we are once we've got a chance

to compare those marks with Joe's. If they're not Joe's,

obviously those ones will get put forward for a search.

Great stuff!

I wonder if that toggle belonged to the burglar as well?

CSI have come up with quite a few things

that might aid the investigation,

and we can help Joe make sure that this doesn't happen again.

Listen, we have got some contacts

-and people who know what they're doing.

-Yeah.

You know, if it helps you out, we can get them round,

-see if we can get you a little bit sorted out.

-That'd be brilliant.

Yeah. Anything that can help would be fantastic at this stage.

-That'd be great. Thank you.

-Fantastic.

So, it is almost midnight

and Joe is a young man who has still got a lot to deal with.

Hopefully tomorrow, though,

we can start getting his security sorted out.

Because it's a rented flat, we'll have to get Joe's landlord onboard

for some of the measures required to protect the property.

Joe's neighbours can help too.

Before Joe heads off to work,

there's a visit from Crime Reduction Officer Nick Whitcombe.

-Broke in through that bottom left-hand pane?

-Yeah.

-Smashed it, I believe.

-Yes.

I think they've done that with a screwdriver.

-And then forced the latches?

-Yes.

So, that's the point of entry. How did they get out of the front?

I had a key in the back of the door.

It's a common fault, is that, leaving keys in insides of doors.

When people burgle houses, if they come in through small windows...

..they don't like to use that as an escape route,

so they will actually look for keys in doors.

They'll look in drawers for keys

so they can open doors before they start pinching things,

so they can get out just in case you were to come back.

I think we can all learn from that.

-And that's the door that they've gone out of?

-That's right.

Your wood patio doors which had the key in.

-That had the key in the back door.

-Because you left the key in there.

Nick knows how the offender's mind works

and he's a bit surprised the burglar braved the alarm.

All of the flats have got them, although they do a look a bit old.

And what's more, Joe's wasn't switched on.

-But it does work.

-ALARM SOUNDS

-It's working now.

-Yeah, you see? It does work.

Not necessarily at the right times, though.

That alarm will need sorting.

And there's plenty more we can do too,

like securing those windows and growing spiky plants beneath them

to discourage any would-be burglar.

Dusk-till-dawn lighting will also help that.

But it doesn't all have to cost money.

It's a case of talking to your neighbours,

letting them respond and react

to anything that is going on suspicious.

Use them, use each other.

Of course, they'd be the first people to respond

to an alarm going off too,

and Nick thinks this old thing has got to go.

That's coming out and it's going to be

a nice, brand-new, in-your-face box that looks like it's used.

If it looks used and it looks like that,

burglar will take notice of it.

But the more Nick sees, the more worried he is,

especially about the fact that our burglar was able to get so close

and then smash his way in, without anyone seeing or hearing anything.

You can't get away from the windows and the access to the back.

It's got everything that a burglar wants.

Thanks, Nick.

It looks like Neil, our security contractor,

is soon going to be very busy.

But right now, in a different part of Leeds,

he's got Joan and Pete's house to fix.

The retired couple were burgled in the few short hours

they were away at a hospital appointment.

I knew straightaway. I said, "Pete, somebody's been in."

I walked in, I just couldn't believe it.

You know, there was just dirty footprints everywhere,

there was drawers left open.

But the most upsetting thing for Joan was the loss of her passport,

just as she was about to fly out

to see her daughter and grandchildren in Australia.

We've had a bad week.

And, um...

..it's just...it's heartbreaking.

Joan was forced to cancel her passport.

But today, she wants to show me something

she's just found under the bed.

-KEELEY GASPS Oh.

-My travel case.

-With...

-My passport, never been used.

Which, of course, I've cancelled.

-Oh, no! Of course.

-As per police instructions.

-And it was here all along under the bed.

-Yeah, it was under the bed.

It looks like it may have got there when the burglar was disturbed.

But Joan's other news is that

her daughter is now coming home to visit instead.

So, I've cancelled my flight, which I've lost money on it anyway.

Cost of the passport has gone. That is another £72.50.

And for what? For what he took, it's just...

If he'd have knocked on my door, I'd have given him 20 quid.

I think Joan might be feeling a little bit better.

A great pastry cook, she's baked a few delicacies for Neil.

What a lucky man!

You have been busy. SHE LAUGHS

-Aye. Very busy.

-These look amazing!

Those should help fuel the work,

with the recommended alarm a top priority, of course.

Having something like an alarm is

-really going to make a massive difference.

-It is.

The only thing I am worried about is

there's a lot of crumbs going into this alarm.

I hope it's not going to break it!

Shall I help you? Look at him!

You take a load off, me and Joan will sort this out.

-I will. Thanks.

-KEELEY LAUGHS

When it's finally fitted, the wireless alarm

will help protect the house,

and with the help of motion sensors, Pete's plastic shed as well.

What I'll do, I'll put a PIR, a sensor in this.

Anybody who breaks into here, it's going to set your house alarm off.

-Right.

-I'll get this put on for you.

And there'll be a little bit of extra help for the hinges too,

adding a few clutch screws for extra security.

-They only go in one way.

-Yeah.

Once you get them in, you can't get them out again.

Now, remember how the burglar entered through this tiny bedroom window?

Joan's promised to keep it closed and alarmed when she's out,

but Neil's working on a way of getting

a little fresh air in for her.

-What I'm going to fit is a laser beam.

-Ah, OK.

So, if anybody opens this window, puts their arm through,

even when it's left open...

Only when they're at home, though. Not when they're out.

If it is left open, soon as anybody trips this laser beam,

-it is going to set the alarm off and it will alert them.

-OK.

-So, these match up, one either side?

-Yeah.

I've put this one on this side, and we'll put one on that side.

-About there?

-Yeah.

Keep going, keep going.

That's great.

We're on.

I'm sure that Neil's looking forward to his next pastry break, but

meanwhile, Joan's got to be the first person to see our lasers in action.

MUSIC: Mission Impossible Theme

This is what will happen if someone tries to break in there now.

-ALARM SOUNDS

-Oh, my goodness!

Not even Tom Cruise himself could squeeze through there.

It's unbelievable, that alarm system. Absolutely unbelievable.

-You're really impressed with that back window.

-Oh, God, I am, yeah.

I have never heard such a racket in all my life.

Great work, Neil!

Joan has been so good to us today.

For a feisty character, I really think she's been knocked by this.

But already, she seems to be back to her normal self.

Let's hope that Richard is equally as impressed.

Although Joan's passport wasn't stolen after all,

the break-in still caused her a lot of anxiety.

But young Joe's definitely had two laptops and a games console

pinched from his flat,

and the burglars left both footprints and fingerprints behind.

-Can you see on that bar there?

-Oh, yeah.

Hopefully those prints will help police identify the intruder.

Computer theft is rife these days,

the cause of almost 40% of burglaries.

So, I've come to Leeds Beckett University

to look at hi-tech solutions to the problem.

So, what can you do to help you trace your laptop or tablet

once it is gone?

Add extra security, such as UV pens.

Even things like etching and ceramic etching,

which leave a permanent mark on the device.

Tablets have a IMEI number -

International Mobile Equipment Identity Number,

which uniquely identifies every single tablet

and every single mobile phone.

That is sent out every time it connects to the network.

But the best news is that these clever bits of technology

can help us to find them after they've been stolen.

So, realistically, what can some of these tracing things do?

Well, they can pinpoint your device to a relatively accurate area

simply by going on to the application

and selecting which device you're looking for.

-So, in this case, this particular tablet.

-Hm.

It will then automatically zoom in and it will show us where we are.

Great. So, even if this thing was on the other end of the town,

it would tell you on your...?

As long as it was connected to the internet, yes,

-it would give us exactly where it was.

-That's unbelievable.

So, we can now make it much tougher for computer crooks,

although they won't give up.

Joe's laptops are still missing,

but thankfully, Neil's here to make sure he won't be targeted again...

with special attention being paid to the windows!

These are what they call snap locks.

Good thing about these, you can never forget to lock them.

Because that goes onto the window, this screws onto the frame

and when it's closed... CLICKING

it catches, so you can never forget to lock them.

You need the key to open them.

This'll make Joe feel safer. Common sense stuff, but it works.

You could have the best lock in the world,

but if it's not screwed on right, it's no good to you.

Plus, we're fitting the alarm that Nick recommended.

Has to be switched on, though!

Come on.

I'll make you a cup of tea.

DRILLING Excellent.

-There you go, Neil.

-Oh, cheers, Dan. You're a star.

I'll have a few sips of this and you can fit the alarm.

Very handy.

Do you want my best side?

Good job I polished this this morning.

That's great, is that.

I don't think any burglar will be risking this one.

Want to test it?

ALARM SOUNDS That's it.

I wonder what Joe makes of it all.

We've done our best to make sure that your place

is the least attractive on the block for a burglar.

-So, you've got your new locks there.

-Yeah.

And you've got your burglar alarm too.

I love the burglar alarm. The remote control,

in terms of actually putting it on and off,

it's such an easy thing to do, such a natural thing to do,

rather than being a problem or something to remember.

And, yeah, that's been really good.

And you've got your motion sensors here, so anyone creeping around...

-Yeah, absolutely.

-..ping, and it will go off.

-Yeah.

I mean, the big thing for me

is having the sensors on the doors and windows as well.

So, that point of entry is protected,

which I didn't have before.

-That's given me a lot of security...

-Mm.

-..peace of mind.

It sounds like Joe feels a lot more secure.

-One for your health.

-All right.

-Cheers.

Although for flats like his, it's up to all the residents

to get together and make it tough for the burglars.

It's now time for our Crime Reduction Officer Richard

to take another look at Joan and Pete's.

Let's hope we can improve on that score of just six!

Starting out with Neil's Mission Impossible lasers.

So, when she goes out, she closes the window,

but when she's in, he's put in a little trick.

I've got Pete outside lurking, pretending to be a burglar.

Pete, come and try and burgle us.

The burglar's coming through.

-ALARM SOUNDS Oh!

-Ah.

-Great. That's good.

-Impressed?

-Yeah, yeah.

Well, that went well. Now for the rest of the improvements.

We've got sash jammers on the windows,

we've got an alarm which Joan is absolutely chuffed with.

The shed has been given a bit of a makeover as well.

We have got some clutch screws in the hinges

and there's a sensor from the alarm in there.

There's going to be a security light fitted too.

You must be impressed with this.

Yes, I am. I'm delighted. It is a really good job.

I'm not going to ask you for your score just yet.

We'll sit down with Joan. She is dying to know what it is.

So, you have a little think and we'll go and catch up together.

OK, that's great.

Now, I know you are chuffed to bits

with what Neil has done for us here, aren't you?

Oh, it is absolutely amazing.

The amount of relief it has given me to know that the property's secure,

not only when we're out of it but also when we're in it.

The one in the window in the bedroom...

..where, you know, somebody puts their hand through,

like you did the other day, frightened the life out of me.

-KEELEY LAUGHS

-It goes off like a banshee.

Marvellous. I mean, anybody is going to hear that. It's fabulous.

Now it is time for the all-important score off this man.

Come on, be generous.

Certainly, definitely a very, very good nine.

-That'll do. That'll do! I'm happy with that.

-Great, that's good.

-He is pretty stingy with his figures, so I think you can be...

-Yeah.

-That is like our 12, Joan, so I think...

-I'm sure it is.

-..he's pleased.

-Yeah.

-Yeah.

-No-one is getting in here. Nobody.

-Good.

No-one was arrested in connection to the burglaries

at Joan and Joe's, but...

It is great to see Joan looking a bit more like her old self.

And hopefully she will be able to use that new passport

for another trip to see her grandchildren soon.

I hope so.

And the improvements we have made to Joe's flat

prove that you can live on the ground floor and still be secure.

So, burglars beware.

We're going to do everything that we can to make your life difficult.

Certainly are. That is all for now.

-See you next time.

-Bye-bye.