0:00:02 > 0:00:03Every minute of every day,
0:00:03 > 0:00:05someone somewhere is getting burgled.
0:00:08 > 0:00:10It doesn't sound good.
0:00:10 > 0:00:14With an average of 92 break-ins an hour, it is a huge problem.
0:00:19 > 0:00:24It never ceases to amaze me how much mess these burglars cause for people.
0:00:24 > 0:00:26For the victims of these crimes,
0:00:26 > 0:00:30it can take months or even years to overcome the trauma.
0:00:30 > 0:00:34He was in my house and he shouldn't have been.
0:00:34 > 0:00:35It's emotional, isn't it?
0:00:35 > 0:00:38It is emotional. I am having a lot of palpitations today.
0:00:38 > 0:00:41It's just heartbreaking.
0:00:41 > 0:00:44But in this series, we are fighting back against the burglar.
0:00:44 > 0:00:45Police forcing entry! Police!
0:00:45 > 0:00:48Helping you to beef up your security...
0:00:48 > 0:00:50Here we go.
0:00:50 > 0:00:53..while the police catch the criminals.
0:00:55 > 0:00:57We can be safe. Thank you.
0:00:59 > 0:01:02This is Break-in Britain - The Crackdown.
0:01:05 > 0:01:08Hello. Today on Break-in Britain:
0:01:08 > 0:01:11Ruthless burglars smash a conservatory window
0:01:11 > 0:01:15and leave a young mum feeling threatened in her own home.
0:01:15 > 0:01:16I won't sleep tonight.
0:01:16 > 0:01:20I'll just think now they know what's actually in there, they're going to come back.
0:01:20 > 0:01:23And I am visiting a student house in Leeds which was raided
0:01:23 > 0:01:27in the early hours by a cat burglar who shinned up the drain pipe.
0:01:27 > 0:01:31I was sleeping directly above where the person broke in.
0:01:31 > 0:01:34If they hadn't just wanted to come in and take the TV,
0:01:34 > 0:01:37I don't like to think about it. It's quite a frightening thought.
0:01:42 > 0:01:45It's a sad fact of life that some areas in the UK
0:01:45 > 0:01:48are more prone to burglary than others.
0:01:48 > 0:01:51Crime hot spots crop up all over the country
0:01:51 > 0:01:55and although the police work tirelessly to catch the thieves,
0:01:55 > 0:01:58tens of thousands of break-ins are reported every year.
0:01:59 > 0:02:02In many burglaries I get called out to,
0:02:02 > 0:02:05the thieves have targeted cash, gold, electronics.
0:02:05 > 0:02:08It sounds from what the police have told me
0:02:08 > 0:02:11in this case the thieves have targeted something quite different.
0:02:46 > 0:02:49Casey and her partner Shane live in Bramley in Leeds
0:02:49 > 0:02:52with their six-month-old son, Harley.
0:02:52 > 0:02:56Casey has lived in the area all her life and has never felt unsafe.
0:02:56 > 0:02:58Until now.
0:02:58 > 0:03:01How did you discover that you had been burgled?
0:03:01 > 0:03:03I was in bed this morning.
0:03:03 > 0:03:05My partner woke me up and he said, "You better get up."
0:03:05 > 0:03:07I said, "Why?" He said, "We've been burgled."
0:03:07 > 0:03:10So I have got up and come down and rung the police straight away.
0:03:10 > 0:03:13- Where was that left? - That was inside the bag.
0:03:14 > 0:03:17While Casey, Shane and baby Harley were fast asleep,
0:03:17 > 0:03:20hard-nosed criminals were fishing for an easy steal.
0:03:20 > 0:03:23What have they taken from inside the house?
0:03:23 > 0:03:27From in there, they have taken a big fishing backpack
0:03:27 > 0:03:30full of fishing baits, fishing hooks, rod bags.
0:03:30 > 0:03:33A fishing chair also came out of there as well.
0:03:33 > 0:03:35- It costs a fortune, fishing gear.- Yes.
0:03:37 > 0:03:39Builder Shane is an avid angler
0:03:39 > 0:03:43and has invested his hard-earned money in some top-notch kit.
0:03:43 > 0:03:45But in a matter of minutes,
0:03:45 > 0:03:49thieves have netted 500 quid's worth from under his nose.
0:03:50 > 0:03:54I think someone has either seen Shane bringing his fishing gear in
0:03:54 > 0:03:58after one Sunday afternoon, left it a bit to quieten down and then come.
0:03:58 > 0:04:00Or it's someone we know.
0:04:00 > 0:04:03Someone who knows that Shane's hobby is fishing
0:04:03 > 0:04:04and that it is worth a lot of money.
0:04:05 > 0:04:08As with nearly half of all burglaries,
0:04:08 > 0:04:11the crooks have got in around the back, smashing their way
0:04:11 > 0:04:15through one pane of double glazing and popping the other one out whole.
0:04:15 > 0:04:18PC Jordan Housen surveys the crime scene.
0:04:18 > 0:04:21They have taken some items from in here and then gone
0:04:21 > 0:04:23out to the shed as well and taken some items from there.
0:04:23 > 0:04:28So there are quite a lot of forensic opportunities, so we will request forensics to examine the window
0:04:28 > 0:04:33and hopefully get some fingerprints from there and also the areas contaminated in here.
0:04:33 > 0:04:37Fingerprints and DNA are vital in the hunt for thieves.
0:04:37 > 0:04:41Find a spot of blood and it could lead to a conviction.
0:04:41 > 0:04:45Meanwhile, Casey has to live with the violation of her property.
0:04:45 > 0:04:48- How did you feel when you found out then?- Not nice.
0:04:48 > 0:04:51You think, is it going to happen again? Are they going to come back?
0:04:51 > 0:04:53What are they going to take next?
0:04:53 > 0:04:56Then you also think, is it someone we know?
0:04:56 > 0:04:59I am well known around here so you would think people know who you
0:04:59 > 0:05:03are and they are not going to touch your property, but I don't know.
0:05:03 > 0:05:07You just think it's never going to happen to you but then it does.
0:05:07 > 0:05:12They have prised the shed open, they have taken a bit of equipment in there.
0:05:12 > 0:05:14They have left quite a bit in there as well.
0:05:14 > 0:05:17So whether they have been disturbed or not, I don't know,
0:05:17 > 0:05:20but we'll ask some neighbours if they have seen or heard anything
0:05:20 > 0:05:23and we'll ask if there's any CCTV or anything like that.
0:05:23 > 0:05:25- Did you hear anything in the night? - No.
0:05:25 > 0:05:28Harley woke up at about 3:30am screaming
0:05:28 > 0:05:31and I came in and popped his dummy in. He is in the back bedroom.
0:05:31 > 0:05:34I turned him back onto his side and went straight back to bed.
0:05:34 > 0:05:38So that could have been what woke him up because that shed makes a racket when you open it.
0:05:38 > 0:05:41I just didn't think to look out of the window.
0:05:41 > 0:05:44Casey might not have seen anything
0:05:44 > 0:05:46but there's a chance a neighbour has.
0:05:48 > 0:05:51Sorry to bother you. Have you got two minutes to speak, if that's OK?
0:05:51 > 0:05:55Jordan is on the case with some good old-fashioned door-to-door.
0:05:55 > 0:05:58There has been a burglary a couple of doors down the road.
0:05:59 > 0:06:02Did you see or hear anything last night up to this morning
0:06:02 > 0:06:04- between 10:00pm and 7:00am?- No.
0:06:04 > 0:06:07And he has already turned up some potential evidence.
0:06:07 > 0:06:10- So it's the first time, this morning?- Yes.
0:06:10 > 0:06:12So yesterday it wasn't there?
0:06:12 > 0:06:15Good stuff. Thank you for your time.
0:06:15 > 0:06:20If there's anything else you need, phone the 101 number, OK? Lovely. Thank you very much, sir.
0:06:20 > 0:06:24If he's saying that he has not seen this screwdriver before, it's just in the garden,
0:06:24 > 0:06:26there might be nothing to connect it to the crime at all
0:06:26 > 0:06:29but with regards to how they have gained access,
0:06:29 > 0:06:33it is definitely prudent to seize it and also get it fingerprinted.
0:06:34 > 0:06:37A good lead, but it's not enough to make Casey feel secure.
0:06:37 > 0:06:39I won't sleep tonight.
0:06:39 > 0:06:41I will be up every two minutes because I just think
0:06:41 > 0:06:44now they know what's in there, they're going to come back.
0:06:44 > 0:06:47The first thing Shane said this morning was, "I'm moving anyway."
0:06:47 > 0:06:51But we shouldn't have to do that. This is my house, this is where I was brought up.
0:06:51 > 0:06:55I'm not going to get scared off by anyone, no way. I'm not going to do that, no.
0:06:55 > 0:06:58If it helps you out, we've got our experts
0:06:58 > 0:07:01and they can come around and have a look at the place and see
0:07:01 > 0:07:05where the weak points are and see if we can get it shored up for you.
0:07:05 > 0:07:07- Yes, that would be great. - Make sure you can stay.
0:07:07 > 0:07:11Yes, we definitely want to stay. I definitely won't go.
0:07:12 > 0:07:16At least the thieves didn't break Casey's spirit, and we're
0:07:16 > 0:07:20going to upgrade her security so the whole family feel safe again.
0:07:26 > 0:07:30The next day, and the rain doesn't stop crime reduction officer
0:07:30 > 0:07:34Nick Whitcombe giving his expert opinion on Casey's security.
0:07:34 > 0:07:36As usual, they have got in through the back,
0:07:36 > 0:07:39so have a look around there and see what you think.
0:07:39 > 0:07:41Yes, but even looking from here,
0:07:41 > 0:07:45look at the size of those privet hedges at the back.
0:07:45 > 0:07:47How much cover are they going to give
0:07:47 > 0:07:50in the favourite domain of the burglar?
0:07:50 > 0:07:53- It gives them time. Let's go.- All right.
0:07:54 > 0:07:56You don't need to open the gate. You can go around it.
0:07:56 > 0:07:59Yes, gates tend to be a much better defence
0:07:59 > 0:08:02when actually attached to both sides.
0:08:03 > 0:08:06Nick is concerned by the back hedges that provide the perfect
0:08:06 > 0:08:09cover for a lowlife on the prowl.
0:08:10 > 0:08:13He has noticed the flimsy shed door
0:08:13 > 0:08:16and seems to have spotted something on the window.
0:08:17 > 0:08:19I've had my hands full with the dog.
0:08:19 > 0:08:22Fat lot of good she was on the night of the burglary!
0:08:22 > 0:08:24But what do you reckon of it?
0:08:24 > 0:08:26I've had a look at the back garden,
0:08:26 > 0:08:29looked at this window, which is the point of entry.
0:08:29 > 0:08:33They've forced it, but breaking glass -
0:08:33 > 0:08:37there's always a risk they're going to cut themselves, and they have.
0:08:37 > 0:08:39Oh, they have?
0:08:39 > 0:08:44- There's what looks like blood just here.- Oh, yes.
0:08:44 > 0:08:50So forensics need to come and take swabs of that. DNA. We love DNA.
0:08:51 > 0:08:53This is a major find
0:08:53 > 0:08:56and could be just the evidence needed to identify the thief.
0:08:57 > 0:08:59There is a big market for fishing gear.
0:08:59 > 0:09:03It's expensive and the stolen stuff is easy to sell on.
0:09:03 > 0:09:05Catch of the day for a proper crook.
0:09:05 > 0:09:08I would suggest that the person that nicked them
0:09:08 > 0:09:13knew what they were coming for and knew where to get rid of them fast.
0:09:13 > 0:09:16So overall, as it stands at the moment,
0:09:16 > 0:09:20what would be your security assessment for this place?
0:09:20 > 0:09:22At the moment I would give it...
0:09:24 > 0:09:25..a five.
0:09:25 > 0:09:29- So plenty to improve on? - Plenty to improve on.
0:09:29 > 0:09:33We can do lighting, look at that fence, it's too low.
0:09:33 > 0:09:36Let's build the height up with something that is wobbly,
0:09:36 > 0:09:39doesn't hold body weight, a bit of trellising.
0:09:39 > 0:09:42But it is absolutely gutting for the guy
0:09:42 > 0:09:45who has lost all his fishing gear.
0:09:45 > 0:09:49- Oh, aye. You would be devastated. - Very personal thing, fishing gear.
0:09:49 > 0:09:51You can't touch people's fishing gear.
0:09:52 > 0:09:55Shane didn't have any home insurance so it's going to take a long
0:09:55 > 0:09:59time on the building site to replace his precious kit.
0:09:59 > 0:10:01So a lot of issues to tackle here
0:10:01 > 0:10:05and I will need to call in my fisherman's friend.
0:10:05 > 0:10:08- "Hello, Neil speaking." - Hiya, Neil, it's Dan.- "Hiya, Dan."
0:10:08 > 0:10:12Yeah, listen, I've got a bit of an odd job for you, mate.
0:10:12 > 0:10:15I need you to make sure that a family's fishing rods
0:10:15 > 0:10:19- don't get nicked again.- "All right. That's unusual, but yeah, yeah."
0:10:19 > 0:10:21Good. I'll give you the address.
0:10:21 > 0:10:24"Yeah. Send me the details and I'll get round there
0:10:24 > 0:10:26"and make it secure for you."
0:10:26 > 0:10:28Brilliant. Nice one.
0:10:28 > 0:10:30"All right, cheers. Bye."
0:10:30 > 0:10:32He's heard it all before.
0:10:32 > 0:10:36'We'll be back later to give Casey's home the security upgrade
0:10:36 > 0:10:38'it desperately needs.
0:10:38 > 0:10:41'But first, Keeley's on the trail of another burglary
0:10:41 > 0:10:43'just four miles away.'
0:10:43 > 0:10:45SIREN WAILS
0:10:48 > 0:10:49'I've been called to Woodhouse,
0:10:49 > 0:10:53'an area that's home to the University of Leeds.
0:10:53 > 0:10:56'It's a popular place to live for thousands of students,
0:10:56 > 0:10:59'but it's also well liked by the criminals.'
0:11:00 > 0:11:03A few years ago, this student area of Leeds had one of
0:11:03 > 0:11:06the highest burglary rates in the whole country.
0:11:07 > 0:11:10It's full of multi-occupancy student houses,
0:11:10 > 0:11:13where security isn't a priority.
0:11:14 > 0:11:16Take this house -
0:11:16 > 0:11:19in the last four years, it's been broken into ten times.
0:11:19 > 0:11:23And this is the call that reported the eleventh.
0:11:46 > 0:11:48Officer Mark Huckle is first on the scene
0:11:48 > 0:11:51and goes through events with housemate Tamar,
0:11:51 > 0:11:53an engineering student from South Africa.
0:11:54 > 0:11:58This morning, someone got up to use the bathroom and, er...
0:11:58 > 0:12:01Well, she lifted up the seat, sat down and then,
0:12:01 > 0:12:04about two minutes in, realised there was something wrong with the seat.
0:12:04 > 0:12:07So she had a look and there's a footprint on the back
0:12:07 > 0:12:09- of the seat and mud on the windowsill.- Right.
0:12:09 > 0:12:12And then she had a look downstairs and noticed the TV was missing.
0:12:12 > 0:12:14So she called the police.
0:12:14 > 0:12:16What an awful shock.
0:12:16 > 0:12:18Your bathroom's a private place
0:12:18 > 0:12:22and knowing a stranger's invaded it is quite disturbing.
0:12:22 > 0:12:25The window's been found insecure, there's mud on the...
0:12:25 > 0:12:28obviously, bathroom windowsill.
0:12:28 > 0:12:31There's obviously a footmark on the back of the seat
0:12:31 > 0:12:34as if someone's obviously climbed in and stepped onto the seat.
0:12:34 > 0:12:37In the dead of night, an opportunist burglar
0:12:37 > 0:12:39saw an open window and went for it.
0:12:39 > 0:12:42Tamar and Mark take stock of what's missing.
0:12:42 > 0:12:44- The TV was on the wall there.- Right.
0:12:44 > 0:12:48I think the TV was plugged into the wall there.
0:12:48 > 0:12:50- So they've taken the power cable. - Yeah.
0:12:50 > 0:12:53That's the only thing you can see that's missing at the moment?
0:12:53 > 0:12:56- Yep.- Right.
0:12:57 > 0:13:00Luckily for Tamar, this thief headed straight for the TV
0:13:00 > 0:13:05and didn't risk being caught by trying any of the many bedrooms.
0:13:05 > 0:13:08You might think it's OK to leave a first-floor window open,
0:13:08 > 0:13:10but not in this neighbourhood.
0:13:10 > 0:13:13The evidence suggests that that window's been insecure
0:13:13 > 0:13:15and they've obviously climbed in that window.
0:13:15 > 0:13:19To do that, you can only access it by either going up that drainpipe
0:13:19 > 0:13:22and along the drainpipe that runs across from the bathroom,
0:13:22 > 0:13:24or this neighbouring drainpipe.
0:13:24 > 0:13:27A gutsy move, but with the cover of darkness
0:13:27 > 0:13:32and no security light to contend with, far from impossible.
0:13:32 > 0:13:35I caught up with Tamar soon after the event.
0:13:35 > 0:13:37How's it been?
0:13:37 > 0:13:40It's been pretty stressful, actually. It's always...
0:13:40 > 0:13:44The first thing I noticed is... I often check the front door
0:13:44 > 0:13:48when I leave and...like, my stress level has been
0:13:48 > 0:13:50so high that I've found myself coming back two blocks
0:13:50 > 0:13:54just to check if the door is still locked. And it's like a...
0:13:54 > 0:13:57Genuinely a bit panicky every time I leave the house.
0:13:57 > 0:13:59I didn't have insurance when we got robbed,
0:13:59 > 0:14:02so that's been on my mind, as well.
0:14:02 > 0:14:05What would happen if someone had actually gone into my room
0:14:05 > 0:14:06and taken some of my stuff?
0:14:09 > 0:14:12As a PhD student, Tamar's room holds expensive equipment
0:14:12 > 0:14:15and university work that's irreplaceable.
0:14:15 > 0:14:19But lost belongings are never the only concern.
0:14:19 > 0:14:22I was sleeping directly above where the person broke in.
0:14:22 > 0:14:25They walked past two of my housemates'
0:14:25 > 0:14:27bedroom doors to get downstairs.
0:14:27 > 0:14:31If they hadn't just wanted to come in and take the TV,
0:14:31 > 0:14:34it could've been... I don't like to think about it.
0:14:34 > 0:14:37It's quite a frightening thought, that there was someone
0:14:37 > 0:14:40ill-intentioned walking about in my house.
0:14:41 > 0:14:43Tamar's clearly shaken,
0:14:43 > 0:14:47and this villain has left their mark in more ways than one.
0:14:47 > 0:14:49Their first step is as clear as day.
0:14:49 > 0:14:52We map trainer footwear from suspects,
0:14:52 > 0:14:57so therefore, we'll do a lift on that and when the lift gets taken,
0:14:57 > 0:15:01you'll probably get an even better print than what you can see there.
0:15:01 > 0:15:03So that might give us an indication in terms of what footwear
0:15:03 > 0:15:06they might've been wearing, which can be as good as a fingerprint.
0:15:06 > 0:15:09This acetate print will be cross-referenced against
0:15:09 > 0:15:13the police database and could turn up a match.
0:15:13 > 0:15:15We'll find out later.
0:15:15 > 0:15:18Now, you would think in a house that's been burgled ten times,
0:15:18 > 0:15:21that the security would be top-notch. So, is it?
0:15:21 > 0:15:24And what about the alarm? Because you have got an alarm, haven't you?
0:15:24 > 0:15:27Yeah. But the letting agents have had problems with tenants
0:15:27 > 0:15:31in the past setting off alarms and not knowing how to turn them off.
0:15:31 > 0:15:33So they don't hand out the codes.
0:15:33 > 0:15:36No code means no active alarm.
0:15:36 > 0:15:38Fat lot of good that is.
0:15:38 > 0:15:41You've got locks on each of your bedroom doors. Are they sturdy?
0:15:41 > 0:15:45Do you feel like your stuff is safe in the bedrooms when you leave it?
0:15:45 > 0:15:47They're not all that sturdy.
0:15:47 > 0:15:49I think if someone could get into the house,
0:15:49 > 0:15:53they could easily get into the bedrooms without any hassle at all.
0:15:53 > 0:15:55I keep everything in my bedroom. My room is my home,
0:15:55 > 0:15:58the house is sort of the neighbourhood,
0:15:58 > 0:15:59I guess you could say.
0:15:59 > 0:16:03And actually, if you owned your home, your room,
0:16:03 > 0:16:05you'd probably put more than just one lock on the door.
0:16:05 > 0:16:07I would have a lot of deadbolts.
0:16:07 > 0:16:11We've got a crime-reduction officer coming to the house this afternoon.
0:16:11 > 0:16:14He's going to give it a rating out of ten and then he'll suggest
0:16:14 > 0:16:18some measures that we can put in place to make it a lot safer.
0:16:18 > 0:16:20- How's that sound? - That's a good idea.- Yeah?
0:16:20 > 0:16:25- That will make you feel safer about your bedroom and the house? - Absolutely.
0:16:25 > 0:16:27We'll be back later in the programme
0:16:27 > 0:16:31to find out what makes this house so attractive to thieves.
0:16:31 > 0:16:35And what can be done to protect the people and the property inside.
0:16:44 > 0:16:46Meanwhile, on the other side of Leeds in Bramley,
0:16:46 > 0:16:49Casey and Shane are still in shock
0:16:49 > 0:16:53at having £500 worth of fishing gear nicked.
0:16:53 > 0:16:56And Casey's got her own theory on who done it.
0:16:56 > 0:16:57I don't think he'll have got far.
0:16:57 > 0:16:59I definitely think it's someone off this estate.
0:16:59 > 0:17:02He'll try selling it to the wrong person
0:17:02 > 0:17:05- and I'll hear something about it and find out.- Yeah?
0:17:07 > 0:17:08In a tight-knit community,
0:17:08 > 0:17:12victims often feel like they've been targeted personally.
0:17:12 > 0:17:15And only the police investigation can put Casey at ease.
0:17:15 > 0:17:17So far, the screwdriver found
0:17:17 > 0:17:20in a neighbour's garden has been discounted,
0:17:20 > 0:17:24but there has been a development with the blood found on the window.
0:17:24 > 0:17:28The DNA has been linked to a known criminal who lives less than
0:17:28 > 0:17:31five miles from Casey and Shane.
0:17:31 > 0:17:33He's been charged previously with burglary
0:17:33 > 0:17:36and the police are on his case.
0:17:38 > 0:17:39So after the theft of the fishing rods,
0:17:39 > 0:17:43I know the police are going to be working hard to reel in the burglar.
0:17:43 > 0:17:45But we've got our own job to do,
0:17:45 > 0:17:48making this young family's house safe again.
0:17:48 > 0:17:51And there's only one man for that job, Neil Goldup.
0:17:51 > 0:17:53He's kitted out thousands of houses
0:17:53 > 0:17:56with state-of-the-art security systems.
0:17:56 > 0:17:58He's a burglar's worst enemy.
0:17:58 > 0:18:00- I'll put it up there.- Yeah.
0:18:00 > 0:18:04Quite high up, so it's facing anybody coming up these stairs.
0:18:04 > 0:18:07- It'll catch them. Yeah?- Yeah.
0:18:10 > 0:18:13Is this a real CCTV camera, or is it a dummy?
0:18:13 > 0:18:15It certainly looks like the real thing,
0:18:15 > 0:18:18but if we can't tell, then nor can the common crim.
0:18:20 > 0:18:24And inside, a burglar alarm that's even Lola-proof.
0:18:24 > 0:18:26There's no sensor in the back, so if your dog is in the back,
0:18:26 > 0:18:28if it's there when you set your alarm,
0:18:28 > 0:18:31it's not going to set off because your sensor's in this room.
0:18:31 > 0:18:33- Right, OK. - That's your new lock, new keys.
0:18:33 > 0:18:35As I say, your key goes in sideways now.
0:18:35 > 0:18:37It's a good visual deterrent from outside,
0:18:37 > 0:18:39- so burglars won't touch these locks now.- Right.
0:18:39 > 0:18:43You've got locks on all your downstairs windows.
0:18:43 > 0:18:47Outside...you've got the security light up.
0:18:47 > 0:18:50As soon as anybody walks up this path, walks through this door,
0:18:50 > 0:18:52- it'll light them up.- Right.
0:18:52 > 0:18:55So you can just look out the window and you'll see them there.
0:18:55 > 0:18:57- And your trellising.- Yep.
0:18:57 > 0:19:01I think with that trellising up now, it's secure,
0:19:01 > 0:19:04but it's flimsy enough, if they try and get onto it, try and climb it,
0:19:04 > 0:19:08it'll collapse and they'll break their legs or arm, or summat.
0:19:10 > 0:19:12What a transformation!
0:19:12 > 0:19:16Neil's turned this place into a burglar's nightmare.
0:19:16 > 0:19:19And it means Casey and Harley might just sleep tight after all.
0:19:24 > 0:19:27Across town, the footprint found in Tamar's student house
0:19:27 > 0:19:30is being investigated.
0:19:30 > 0:19:33West Yorkshire Police records contain several thousand
0:19:33 > 0:19:36footprints taken from people in custody
0:19:36 > 0:19:39and can match even a popular shoe with known criminals.
0:19:41 > 0:19:43Sadly, on this occasion, there's no match.
0:19:43 > 0:19:46But that's not the end of our story,
0:19:46 > 0:19:48as crime-prevention officer Nick is here
0:19:48 > 0:19:51to figure out how a burglar got into this house
0:19:51 > 0:19:54for the eleventh time, and to stop it happening again.
0:19:55 > 0:19:58So this is an area rife for burglary.
0:19:58 > 0:20:04It is, because the people that live in this block allow it to be.
0:20:04 > 0:20:05That's one reason.
0:20:05 > 0:20:09Another reason is the access, all that down there,
0:20:09 > 0:20:11perfect access, getaway points.
0:20:11 > 0:20:15The majority of the places are full of students or ex-students,
0:20:15 > 0:20:18all with their own private electrical goodies in there.
0:20:20 > 0:20:22'And if those electrical goods
0:20:22 > 0:20:25'are visible, you're inviting trouble.'
0:20:25 > 0:20:28They've probably looked from here...
0:20:28 > 0:20:30up through that window,
0:20:30 > 0:20:34and if you look now you can see the television bracket on the wall.
0:20:34 > 0:20:36Just about, through the grubby windows!
0:20:36 > 0:20:39Well, you won't see the telly, cos that's gone.
0:20:40 > 0:20:43'Valuable items shouldn't be left on display.
0:20:43 > 0:20:45'If Tamar and co had shut their curtains,
0:20:45 > 0:20:47'this burglary might have been avoided.
0:20:49 > 0:20:52'The drainpipes were coated with anti-climb paint that's
0:20:52 > 0:20:56'supposed to make the surface too greasy to shin up,
0:20:56 > 0:20:57'so what happened?'
0:20:57 > 0:20:59Let me show you here.
0:20:59 > 0:21:03The surface of it, it smudges, because it's not fresh stuff,
0:21:03 > 0:21:05it's old and it needs redoing.
0:21:05 > 0:21:08Now, they've grabbed hold of it here, because they've broken the surface
0:21:08 > 0:21:09and slid it to one side.
0:21:09 > 0:21:12- You can see the fingerprints on it? - There.- Oh, yeah!
0:21:12 > 0:21:14Probably glove marks.
0:21:14 > 0:21:16'Anti-climb paint does what it says on the tin,
0:21:16 > 0:21:21'but only if you maintain it and repaint every couple of years.
0:21:21 > 0:21:23'And age has got the better of the front door, too.'
0:21:23 > 0:21:29- Look at it.- It's not in great condition, is it?- It's tired.
0:21:29 > 0:21:33It's worn out. It's not up to standard. The lock...
0:21:35 > 0:21:37..moves backwards and forwards!
0:21:41 > 0:21:44'Round the back, there may be bars on the windows and doors, but it all
0:21:44 > 0:21:46'looks neglected - not surprising,
0:21:46 > 0:21:49'as the students don't own the building.'
0:21:50 > 0:21:52What about the score out of ten?
0:21:52 > 0:21:55- They can have a three. - A three?- A three.
0:21:55 > 0:21:59The biggest change that's needed here will cost absolutely nothing,
0:21:59 > 0:22:03and that is the mentality of the occupants of the house.
0:22:03 > 0:22:07There's windows and doors been left open.
0:22:07 > 0:22:10'And an open window was all it took.
0:22:10 > 0:22:13'I'm going to pass Nick's assessment on to Tamar,
0:22:13 > 0:22:15'but in the meantime, we need to get painting.
0:22:15 > 0:22:17'Well, I say "we"...'
0:22:17 > 0:22:19I'd love to offer my help,
0:22:19 > 0:22:21but I think you only come with one paintbrush.
0:22:21 > 0:22:26I've got plenty of paintbrushes. But I'll look after this one meself!
0:22:26 > 0:22:28'This paint can be used on any dry surface
0:22:28 > 0:22:33'and leaves a lasting impression on all those who touch it.'
0:22:33 > 0:22:36If you get it on your skin, it takes a long time to wash off.
0:22:36 > 0:22:39If you get it on your clothes, call it a day and throw them away.
0:22:39 > 0:22:41'It's not just a nuisance.
0:22:41 > 0:22:44'A paint stain can connect crime scene to burglar,
0:22:44 > 0:22:46'and it's certainly effective.'
0:22:46 > 0:22:49There's a street not too far away from here that was getting hit
0:22:49 > 0:22:54really bad by burglars climbing up the pipes, so we put anti-climb
0:22:54 > 0:22:58paint on every pipe in them streets and it stopped it overnight.
0:22:59 > 0:23:01'Beefing up your home security works,
0:23:01 > 0:23:03'and with the help of West Yorkshire Police,
0:23:03 > 0:23:06'there are far fewer burglaries in Woodhouse now
0:23:06 > 0:23:09'than in previous years.
0:23:09 > 0:23:11'The police offer crime prevention advice
0:23:11 > 0:23:14'and encourage students to register their property
0:23:14 > 0:23:17'on the Government-supported website Immobilise.
0:23:17 > 0:23:19'That way, if items turn up as stolen goods,
0:23:19 > 0:23:22'they can be easily identified and returned.
0:23:23 > 0:23:26'Tamar's still feeling uneasy about the security of his room,
0:23:26 > 0:23:30'so Neil's found the perfect solution to ease his mind.'
0:23:31 > 0:23:36We've got a room alarm for you. Nice and easy to use, remote control.
0:23:36 > 0:23:40And then, if anybody comes in and trips the room sensor,
0:23:40 > 0:23:44- it's going to scream.- Right, shall we test it?- Let's give it a tester.
0:23:44 > 0:23:46- Right, if you want to go out, then, I'll turn it on.- OK.
0:23:46 > 0:23:49And then I'll give you a shout when to come in.
0:23:49 > 0:23:52So I'm the burglar. Thanks(!) I get to be the burglar.
0:23:52 > 0:23:53You've got a face for it. KEELEY LAUGHS
0:23:53 > 0:23:55Thank you(!)
0:23:55 > 0:23:57Right. ALARM BEEPS
0:23:57 > 0:23:59I've come to burgle you!
0:23:59 > 0:24:02So, that's flashing now, so it's giving you chance to turn it off.
0:24:02 > 0:24:05ALARM WAILS Because you've not turned it off...
0:24:05 > 0:24:09- Right! Good? Happy with that? - Yep, that's great. Thank you.
0:24:10 > 0:24:16'With Nick's expert advice and Neil's skilled installation,
0:24:16 > 0:24:20'there's a fighting chance this house won't be burgled again.
0:24:20 > 0:24:23'But it really depends on these guys, the residents,
0:24:23 > 0:24:26'and Tamar's leading the way.'
0:24:26 > 0:24:29I didn't even think about things like leaving windows open,
0:24:29 > 0:24:33and now it's just second thought to make sure windows are closed
0:24:33 > 0:24:35and locking the door, as well,
0:24:35 > 0:24:38just making sure things like that are done.
0:24:38 > 0:24:40All of us have been working on that.
0:24:40 > 0:24:43This has built a bit of a community with us, and also,
0:24:43 > 0:24:48because we're spending more time together, we've come a bit closer.
0:24:48 > 0:24:51You've actually made friends because someone's burgled the house?
0:24:51 > 0:24:54Yeah, pretty much. We don't have a TV to watch any more,
0:24:54 > 0:24:56so we have to entertain each other!
0:24:56 > 0:24:59And you feel generally a lot safer in the house.
0:24:59 > 0:25:03With the security that we've added now, and I've also got round to
0:25:03 > 0:25:06getting myself insurance, I do feel a lot safer.
0:25:06 > 0:25:08We didn't think it would happen to us,
0:25:08 > 0:25:12and it did, and now we are making sure it won't happen again.
0:25:13 > 0:25:17Improving security in a student or multi-occupancy house can be tricky.
0:25:17 > 0:25:19We've had to look at not only the house as a whole
0:25:19 > 0:25:22but also the individual rooms, as well.
0:25:22 > 0:25:24But one thing that's come out of this burglary is
0:25:24 > 0:25:28more of a community has developed, and I think that will go some way
0:25:28 > 0:25:30in making the house a lot safer, too.
0:25:33 > 0:25:34'Back in Bramley, Casey
0:25:34 > 0:25:37'and Shane have learnt from police that the man who stole their
0:25:37 > 0:25:39'fishing kit was arrested
0:25:39 > 0:25:42'and admitted to this and another burglary.
0:25:42 > 0:25:46'Paul Whitley was sentenced to two years, four months in prison
0:25:46 > 0:25:49'when he appeared at court in Leeds.
0:25:51 > 0:25:53'Sadly, none of Shane's equipment was recovered,
0:25:53 > 0:25:57'but, hey, there's plenty more fishing kit in the sea.
0:25:57 > 0:25:59'It's the family's safety that's important,
0:25:59 > 0:26:02'and expert Nick's returned to give
0:26:02 > 0:26:04'his verdict on the security upgrade.'
0:26:04 > 0:26:07Neil's been grafting on this place.
0:26:07 > 0:26:10Yeah, you can see it from a distance, the alarm box,
0:26:10 > 0:26:13- nice and bright, in your face. - Yeah.
0:26:13 > 0:26:20We've got a camera looking directly at the steps to the front door,
0:26:20 > 0:26:25we've got a good-quality light, and even from here you can see
0:26:25 > 0:26:29that you've got the TS007 lock, which is what we want.
0:26:29 > 0:26:32So there's four things visually that the burglar's going to go,
0:26:32 > 0:26:34"Oh, that's four things against me".
0:26:34 > 0:26:36Four things immediately to change their mind.
0:26:36 > 0:26:38'And there's a fifth.'
0:26:38 > 0:26:41So, there you go, that wasn't there before. That's what we've put in.
0:26:41 > 0:26:46You can see this. No, it's not strong. We don't want it strong.
0:26:46 > 0:26:50We want it so that it will collapse, make a noise, make a mess.
0:26:50 > 0:26:52Why not...
0:26:53 > 0:26:56..get some nice blackberry...
0:26:56 > 0:27:00dry, live ones, wind it all in there?
0:27:00 > 0:27:02No burglar's going to want to collapse on them without
0:27:02 > 0:27:04bleeding all over the place.
0:27:04 > 0:27:06So, now that you've seen what we've done,
0:27:06 > 0:27:09what would be your security assessment for this place?
0:27:09 > 0:27:11I think we can have...
0:27:13 > 0:27:17..an eight here. Eight and a half, because I love this trellising.
0:27:17 > 0:27:19Hi, Casey! All right?
0:27:19 > 0:27:22'And Nick's not the only one who's chuffed!'
0:27:22 > 0:27:25- I notice you've already had a go at the alarm.- Yeah, I love it, yeah.
0:27:25 > 0:27:28I'll be using it every time, even if I nip to t'shop or anything.
0:27:28 > 0:27:31- Are you feeling better cos of it? - Yeah. Definitely.
0:27:31 > 0:27:35Yeah, 100%. I definitely feel safer in me own home.
0:27:35 > 0:27:37Now, Nick's come back to do his security assessment.
0:27:37 > 0:27:40- Eight and a half out of ten. - Oh, brilliant. Yeah.
0:27:40 > 0:27:44- That's as good as it gets from our Nick.- Yeah! Yeah.
0:27:44 > 0:27:48I just can't wait for Shane to come home now, tell him all about it.
0:27:48 > 0:27:52- I'm glad we could do some good for you.- Me, too. Thank you so much.
0:27:52 > 0:27:55- I appreciate it so much. - That's brilliant.
0:27:55 > 0:27:57That's what we like to hear.
0:27:57 > 0:28:01'So that's two houses in Leeds transformed from easy targets
0:28:01 > 0:28:03'to super-secure properties,
0:28:03 > 0:28:07'and everyone inside's feeling a whole lot happier.'
0:28:07 > 0:28:09Well, that's it for now.
0:28:09 > 0:28:12- Remember, keep those windows and doors locked.- Bye-bye.- Ta-ra.