0:00:02 > 0:00:06Every minute of every day, someone, somewhere is getting burgled.
0:00:08 > 0:00:10Doesn't sound good.
0:00:10 > 0:00:15With 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 > 0:00:24how 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.
0:00:31 > 0:00:33He was in my house and he shouldn't have been.
0:00:33 > 0:00:35It's emotional, isn't it?
0:00:35 > 0:00:39It is emotional, yeah. I'm having a lot of palpitations today.
0:00:39 > 0:00:41It's just... It's heartbreaking.
0:00:41 > 0:00:44But in this series we're fighting back against the burgle...
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 > 0:00:50Here we go.
0:00:50 > 0:00:53..while the police catch the criminals.
0:00:55 > 0:00:58We can be safe. Thank you.
0:00:59 > 0:01:02This is Break-in Britain - The Crackdown.
0:01:06 > 0:01:10Hello. Today we're helping Nellie, a genuinely lovely lady.
0:01:10 > 0:01:13That's right. Nellie's 95 years old
0:01:13 > 0:01:16and her home was completely ransacked by burglars
0:01:16 > 0:01:19while she was away having respite care.
0:01:19 > 0:01:21It left her daughter to pick up the pieces.
0:01:21 > 0:01:24I think they're just looking for things that they can easily
0:01:24 > 0:01:27- put in their pockets.- They don't know what they're doing, do they?
0:01:27 > 0:01:29Making a mess like this.
0:01:29 > 0:01:32And I'm with a houseful of students who were burgled
0:01:32 > 0:01:36- while they were all at home.- I can't believe that, did they take much?
0:01:36 > 0:01:39Only the things that students are most attached to.
0:01:39 > 0:01:42When you've got eight people living as we have in this house,
0:01:42 > 0:01:45we've got eight laptops, eight phones, eight of everything.
0:01:48 > 0:01:53In a suburb of East Leeds is the home of 95-year-old Nellie.
0:01:53 > 0:01:57She and her husband Jack moved in in 1952.
0:01:57 > 0:02:00Together they raised their daughter Elaine in the house
0:02:00 > 0:02:03but Jack passed away nine years ago and Nellie now lives alone.
0:02:05 > 0:02:09Nellie's daughter Elaine comes over each day to have a catch-up
0:02:09 > 0:02:10over a cup of tea.
0:02:10 > 0:02:14On today's agenda, a card game that didn't go in Nellie's favour.
0:02:14 > 0:02:19- Did you have a nice day out?- Yes, it was nice.- It was good and you got...
0:02:19 > 0:02:23- Yeah, but the same lady won every time.- Did she?- Yeah.- Oh, dear.
0:02:23 > 0:02:28- It were her card come up every time, nobody else won.- Oh, no.
0:02:28 > 0:02:32- You can't win if you don't get cards.- Oh, no!
0:02:33 > 0:02:35With the help of a team of carers and her family,
0:02:35 > 0:02:39she's able to stay in her own home with all her memories around her.
0:02:43 > 0:02:46But today, the news Elaine has to give her mum isn't good.
0:02:46 > 0:02:48Her home has been burgled.
0:02:49 > 0:02:53Nellie has just got back from two weeks in respite care.
0:02:53 > 0:02:56It was Elaine that discovered the mess.
0:02:56 > 0:02:58I come around and clean everything away, make sure...
0:02:58 > 0:03:01Because it's easy to do when she's not in and I felt really good
0:03:01 > 0:03:04that I've done a good job and then today it's like this.
0:03:04 > 0:03:07Like I said, as soon as I pulled up and the curtains were drawn,
0:03:07 > 0:03:09I knew something was wrong.
0:03:09 > 0:03:12PC Dave Masters from West Yorkshire Police needs to take
0:03:12 > 0:03:16a statement but Nellie's memory isn't what it used to be.
0:03:16 > 0:03:19She just says she wishes she could thump them.
0:03:19 > 0:03:23- Right.- That's what she said to me. - Oh, bless her.
0:03:23 > 0:03:26PC Masters and his colleagues deal with hundreds of burglaries
0:03:26 > 0:03:29every year that involve elderly people.
0:03:29 > 0:03:33Unfortunately, he's no stranger to dealing with incidents like this.
0:03:33 > 0:03:37How long has she lived at the address? If you don't mind me asking.
0:03:37 > 0:03:38- Erm...61...63 years.- Right, OK.
0:03:41 > 0:03:42Before I chat with Nellie and Elaine,
0:03:42 > 0:03:46I want to find out how the burglars managed to get into the house
0:03:46 > 0:03:48when the family thought it was securely locked up.
0:03:48 > 0:03:52So, Dave, this is where the burglars broke in, isn't it?
0:03:52 > 0:03:57That's right, the handle of this rear patio door has been ripped off
0:03:57 > 0:04:00and the Euro profile lock has been broken on the side.
0:04:00 > 0:04:03There is still actually a little bit of broken lock inside there.
0:04:03 > 0:04:04It's been snapped.
0:04:04 > 0:04:07These are notoriously bad for doing that, aren't they?
0:04:07 > 0:04:10They are, yeah, I mean, you need...indoors like this,
0:04:10 > 0:04:12anti-snap locks but, I mean, it is really common for this thing
0:04:12 > 0:04:16to happen, for them to snap and to be able to gain entry into the property.
0:04:17 > 0:04:20Upstairs, it's clear the burglars had enough time
0:04:20 > 0:04:23to go in all of the bedrooms.
0:04:23 > 0:04:26It must make you pretty angry when this happens to anybody,
0:04:26 > 0:04:28but particularly to vulnerable people.
0:04:28 > 0:04:31Yeah, I mean, due to the age of the person,
0:04:31 > 0:04:35it's even worse, in my opinion.
0:04:35 > 0:04:38This lady quite clearly has had jewellery taken from here
0:04:38 > 0:04:41and obviously that's what they've been looking for, I think.
0:04:41 > 0:04:43- These people have no heart, do they?- Not really, no.
0:04:43 > 0:04:47It's so upsetting to see Nellie's things treated so badly.
0:04:47 > 0:04:51It's understandable that Elaine doesn't want her to come upstairs.
0:04:51 > 0:04:55- This is the second bedroom of the three.- Oh, gosh!
0:04:55 > 0:04:56Yeah, the whole room has been ransacked.
0:04:56 > 0:05:00- They've just pulled everything out, haven't they?- That's right, yeah,
0:05:00 > 0:05:03drawers from underneath the bed as well as wardrobes and cupboards as well.
0:05:03 > 0:05:04And they've pulled back the bed.
0:05:04 > 0:05:06What on earth are they looking for in the beds?
0:05:06 > 0:05:09People keep things underneath their beds such as cash, money,
0:05:09 > 0:05:11other sort of personal items.
0:05:11 > 0:05:13You know...
0:05:13 > 0:05:16That's one of the things that they sort of look for as well, really.
0:05:16 > 0:05:18It's no surprise.
0:05:18 > 0:05:21They're generally just pulling everything out in the mad attempt
0:05:21 > 0:05:23to find something that they can take away and sell.
0:05:23 > 0:05:27That's right, yeah, sort of, as you can see, purses there and
0:05:27 > 0:05:30sort of jewellery box and things. Anything that can be sold on.
0:05:30 > 0:05:32They've had no regard for anyone here, have they?
0:05:32 > 0:05:33Other than themselves.
0:05:33 > 0:05:36No, the people who do this, they've got no thought of the victim at all,
0:05:36 > 0:05:38which is why we take it really seriously.
0:05:38 > 0:05:41Elaine can't tidy up yet, they have to wait for
0:05:41 > 0:05:45the scene-of-crime officer to come and look for evidence.
0:05:45 > 0:05:48Back downstairs, Nellie's finishing lunch.
0:05:48 > 0:05:50Do you want to ask this man anything?
0:05:50 > 0:05:53Luckily the break-in hasn't affected her appetite.
0:05:53 > 0:05:57Nellie, you've been away and you've come back to all this mess.
0:05:57 > 0:06:02Yeah, I couldn't believe it. I were upset.
0:06:02 > 0:06:06I said, well, I can't believe it.
0:06:06 > 0:06:08You know?
0:06:09 > 0:06:12It's such a mess, though.
0:06:14 > 0:06:19I don't know what they're after. Do they think we're well off?
0:06:19 > 0:06:23Well, there're probably looking for something that you've not got.
0:06:23 > 0:06:27- We haven't left any money about, have we?- No.
0:06:27 > 0:06:28Does it make you cross?
0:06:28 > 0:06:33Well, of course it did. It upset me, I couldn't believe it.
0:06:33 > 0:06:34I mean...
0:06:36 > 0:06:40I don't know what they're after. Just money, I think.
0:06:40 > 0:06:44I don't know whether it's kids, grown-ups, I don't know.
0:06:46 > 0:06:50- I think it's somebody what's wrong in the head, isn't they?- Obviously.
0:06:50 > 0:06:57- He must be silly.- Yes.- They don't know what they're doing, do they?- No.
0:06:57 > 0:07:01- Making a mess like this.- It must be horrible to see your mum like this.
0:07:01 > 0:07:03It absolutely is, because she doesn't know what to think,
0:07:03 > 0:07:05she doesn't know what to do.
0:07:05 > 0:07:08You know, it's just a mess and, like you said,
0:07:08 > 0:07:12they've ransacked all the drawers and the cupboards to find nothing
0:07:12 > 0:07:14because I don't think there's been much around.
0:07:14 > 0:07:16I think they're just looking for things
0:07:16 > 0:07:18that they can easily put in their pockets, nothing that's big.
0:07:18 > 0:07:22An old lady doesn't have a phone or a computer or anything,
0:07:22 > 0:07:25iPad, anything like that, do they?
0:07:25 > 0:07:27Nellie now finds her jewellery uncomfortable,
0:07:27 > 0:07:30so she leaves it on display to look at instead.
0:07:30 > 0:07:33Some pieces were expensive gifts from her late husband Jack.
0:07:33 > 0:07:35Items which can never be replaced.
0:07:35 > 0:07:39And do we know what's been taken? You mentioned some jewellery.
0:07:39 > 0:07:42I know she had a ring upstairs on the dressing table,
0:07:42 > 0:07:47on a ring slot, because I moved it and dusted it yesterday.
0:07:47 > 0:07:49So it was definitely there.
0:07:49 > 0:07:51And as for her purse, she just had
0:07:51 > 0:07:55probably up to £30 in it, a few notes and some change
0:07:55 > 0:07:59because we don't leave a lot of money in the house.
0:07:59 > 0:08:01The security of the house could be upgraded a little bit
0:08:01 > 0:08:06and the policeman's said the same. We would like to do that for you.
0:08:06 > 0:08:08We'd like to get our security guy to come round,
0:08:08 > 0:08:12take a look at the property, see what he can do to upgrade it
0:08:12 > 0:08:13and make it safer for you,
0:08:13 > 0:08:15so that you feel happy about your mum being here.
0:08:15 > 0:08:19I think that's what she needs and it would be helpful for me to know,
0:08:19 > 0:08:21you know, she's more secure in her house.
0:08:21 > 0:08:24I'm going to get PC Masters to have a look at security here,
0:08:24 > 0:08:27so this can't happen again.
0:08:27 > 0:08:30Once we know where the weaknesses are, we can get them fixed up.
0:08:30 > 0:08:33You've had a little look round the property at the windows,
0:08:33 > 0:08:35the doors, what do you think of the security here?
0:08:35 > 0:08:37She's got two sets of doors going into the property.
0:08:37 > 0:08:39I think these are quite sort of old locks, really,
0:08:39 > 0:08:42they don't look like they've been changed for a while.
0:08:42 > 0:08:44They could do with being checked just to make sure
0:08:44 > 0:08:48that they're anti-snap, three-style locks, basically.
0:08:48 > 0:08:51There's no alarm, CCTV either, security lights,
0:08:51 > 0:08:54there's no motion sensors inside the property.
0:08:54 > 0:08:56You can see through the property from the front all the way
0:08:56 > 0:08:58through to the back to see if anybody's in.
0:08:58 > 0:09:01What marks out of ten would you give this property for security?
0:09:01 > 0:09:03Maybe give it sort of a four.
0:09:03 > 0:09:06The doors were locked. However, the entry was gained from
0:09:06 > 0:09:08an internal door which wasn't locked and there's no alarm, as you say.
0:09:08 > 0:09:10So lots we can do to improve security.
0:09:10 > 0:09:13General improvements to the property, I would say.
0:09:13 > 0:09:17I'm going to get straight on to our security guru, Neil Goldup.
0:09:17 > 0:09:19PHONE RINGS
0:09:19 > 0:09:23- Hello, Neil speaking.- Hello, Neil, it's Keeley here.- Hiya, Keeley.
0:09:23 > 0:09:26Hello. We're at the house of an elderly lady that's had a break-in
0:09:26 > 0:09:29and it would be really good if we could get some things upgraded today
0:09:29 > 0:09:32so that her family feel safe about leaving her to stay here tonight.
0:09:32 > 0:09:35- You're not free, are you? - Yeah, of course.- Brilliant.
0:09:35 > 0:09:37Yeah, yeah, of course, send me the details
0:09:37 > 0:09:39and I'll get round there straight away for you.
0:09:39 > 0:09:42Super, we'll see you soon, good man. Thank you, bye-bye.
0:09:47 > 0:09:50- Neil, thank you for coming so quickly.- That's no problem.
0:09:50 > 0:09:52Right, I've briefed you on what's happened at the house.
0:09:52 > 0:09:55Obviously, the lock's been snapped really quickly.
0:09:55 > 0:09:58They've got double glazing but that's pretty much it.
0:09:58 > 0:10:00And I know you've been thinking about what you can do.
0:10:00 > 0:10:03Yes, yes, if we have a look round the back
0:10:03 > 0:10:06and start with a lock, making it secure.
0:10:06 > 0:10:10In 27% of burglaries, thieves get in by forcing the door open.
0:10:10 > 0:10:14Let's get started by installing some new, safer locks.
0:10:14 > 0:10:15Totally snapped, then.
0:10:15 > 0:10:18Yeah, you'll see the weak point is the part in the middle.
0:10:18 > 0:10:20Holds it all together.
0:10:20 > 0:10:23And many hands make light work, so pass a drill, Neil,
0:10:23 > 0:10:24and I'll get cracking.
0:10:24 > 0:10:27Just one more thing, which way is it when you...?
0:10:27 > 0:10:28That's to take them out.
0:10:28 > 0:10:30I'm not very good at this.
0:10:32 > 0:10:34OK, you can come.
0:10:36 > 0:10:39There you go, the muscles has done it. Well done.
0:10:39 > 0:10:41Right, the moment of truth.
0:10:46 > 0:10:48Yes, get in!
0:10:52 > 0:10:57250 miles away in South Wales, it's party time.
0:10:57 > 0:10:59Wednesday night is student night in Swansea.
0:10:59 > 0:11:04The bars are rammed with people taking up offers of cheap drinks.
0:11:04 > 0:11:06At the same time, properties are left empty
0:11:06 > 0:11:11and security isn't always at the front of revellers' minds.
0:11:13 > 0:11:17The morning after the night before and a 999 call
0:11:17 > 0:11:19is being made to South Wales Police.
0:11:48 > 0:11:53Swansea is home to more than 20,000 university students.
0:11:53 > 0:11:55Most live in halls during their first year
0:11:55 > 0:11:59and then move out into residential areas of the city.
0:11:59 > 0:12:03Unfortunately, students are prime targets for burglars wanting
0:12:03 > 0:12:06to bag themselves the latest electronic equipment.
0:12:06 > 0:12:10This morning, 20-year-old Rhiannon woke up to find
0:12:10 > 0:12:12her 50-inch TV had been stolen.
0:12:12 > 0:12:15It was in the kitchen of the three-storey house
0:12:15 > 0:12:17she shares with seven other students.
0:12:17 > 0:12:19This morning we came down
0:12:19 > 0:12:21and noticed that the television wasn't there.
0:12:21 > 0:12:24Obviously many people had been out for student night
0:12:24 > 0:12:27but we didn't actually think anything would happen.
0:12:27 > 0:12:28The back door was left open
0:12:28 > 0:12:32and, obviously, someone had come in from the back and taken it.
0:12:32 > 0:12:34It was a very heavy TV,
0:12:34 > 0:12:37so I'm quite shocked at how someone could have done that.
0:12:37 > 0:12:41But there's more bad news. Rhiannon was only borrowing the TV.
0:12:41 > 0:12:43It was my dad's.
0:12:43 > 0:12:45He watches rugby on it down in the summer house,
0:12:45 > 0:12:48so he's probably not going to be best keen about it,
0:12:48 > 0:12:52but I think it's all right. It's not the best, but still.
0:12:52 > 0:12:55Rather that than anyone else got hurt.
0:12:55 > 0:12:57Rhiannon's housemates have got out of bed to check
0:12:57 > 0:13:00if anything else was stolen and to chat about the crime.
0:13:00 > 0:13:03They obviously panicked, because it happened in the student village last year.
0:13:03 > 0:13:05They tell us Wednesday nights, student night,
0:13:05 > 0:13:08that's when people go round looking for places that are unlocked,
0:13:08 > 0:13:10things to steal, so...
0:13:10 > 0:13:12It's an alleyway out there. They know these are student houses,
0:13:12 > 0:13:15so they must just go along looking in and seeing
0:13:15 > 0:13:17if something's open and just see what they can take.
0:13:17 > 0:13:20It seems the burglars got lucky last night.
0:13:20 > 0:13:23There was a major flaw in their security that made things
0:13:23 > 0:13:25very easy for them indeed.
0:13:25 > 0:13:28Because so many people go in and out of the property, because it's
0:13:28 > 0:13:32student night, I think people just forget whether you put it on or not.
0:13:32 > 0:13:35- The front door was locked up... - The front door's always locked.
0:13:35 > 0:13:37..but the back door, we kind of forget.
0:13:37 > 0:13:41Officers from South Wales Police have arrived.
0:13:41 > 0:13:44It appears half of the students were in at the time of the burglary
0:13:44 > 0:13:45and half were out.
0:13:45 > 0:13:49Obviously, with it being Wednesday night, they were out partying.
0:13:49 > 0:13:51The person, obviously at this time we don't know who it is,
0:13:51 > 0:13:54has come through this back lane here.
0:13:54 > 0:13:57Unfortunately, the rear door is unlocked.
0:13:57 > 0:13:59Once inside the kitchen area,
0:13:59 > 0:14:03they've managed to disconnect the television which obviously belongs to
0:14:03 > 0:14:05one of the students and they've also stolen
0:14:05 > 0:14:07one or two other items from there.
0:14:07 > 0:14:10They've probably been in and out in seconds
0:14:10 > 0:14:12before anyone would have noticed.
0:14:12 > 0:14:14Students are four times more likely to make a claim
0:14:14 > 0:14:19on their home insurance after a burglary. It's becoming clear why.
0:14:19 > 0:14:22When you've got eight people living, as we have in this house, you've got
0:14:22 > 0:14:25eight laptops, eight phones, eight of everything.
0:14:25 > 0:14:29The scene-of-crime officer has found some prints on the back door.
0:14:29 > 0:14:32Each student needs to be fingerprinted to eliminate them
0:14:32 > 0:14:33from the enquiry.
0:14:33 > 0:14:37For most students, it's the first time they've lived away from home.
0:14:37 > 0:14:39There's often lots more exciting things to do
0:14:39 > 0:14:41than basic housekeeping.
0:14:41 > 0:14:43Keeping themselves and their possessions safe
0:14:43 > 0:14:44can be low on the agenda.
0:14:44 > 0:14:47With it being multi-occupancy and a lot of people living together,
0:14:47 > 0:14:50it can be someone else's problem to lock the door.
0:14:50 > 0:14:52Locking the door isn't the most important thing on their mind
0:14:52 > 0:14:55when they're all enjoying together.
0:14:55 > 0:14:57I think they've learned from this experience.
0:14:57 > 0:14:59It's all laughing and joking at the moment but I think
0:14:59 > 0:15:03when they go to bed tonight, I think it will sink in and I think
0:15:03 > 0:15:06they will learn but unfortunately it's taken this for that to happen.
0:15:06 > 0:15:12As PC Raybould predicted, in the kitchen, the mood is changing.
0:15:12 > 0:15:14There is no curtain there and how did they know
0:15:14 > 0:15:15there's a TV in the corner?
0:15:15 > 0:15:18Unless they were in the house or they had been staring at us
0:15:18 > 0:15:21through the windows then... It's really creepy.
0:15:21 > 0:15:24I'm never coming upstairs again. Ever.
0:15:24 > 0:15:28We do come downstairs at night to get a cuppa, don't we?
0:15:28 > 0:15:31If I came down and something like that would have happened,
0:15:31 > 0:15:32I would have...
0:15:32 > 0:15:35You find a man down here carrying your tea and you're like,
0:15:35 > 0:15:38"OK, I'll just back away slowly."
0:15:38 > 0:15:40Bit of an eye-opener, I guess.
0:15:40 > 0:15:43South Wales police run operations at the start of each term
0:15:43 > 0:15:46to crack down on crime in student areas,
0:15:46 > 0:15:50but locking the door is something these guys really must start doing.
0:15:50 > 0:15:52What we are going to do now,
0:15:52 > 0:15:55we're going to do some house-to-house to just see if anyone has seen
0:15:55 > 0:15:57or heard anything. Make sure that one person, if possible,
0:15:57 > 0:16:00locks the door. Make sure the door is locked every night, all right?
0:16:00 > 0:16:03Because what may happen is that once they have done it once,
0:16:03 > 0:16:06they may well come back, all right?
0:16:06 > 0:16:07And things get even worse
0:16:07 > 0:16:12when one of the students realises his beer has been nicked!
0:16:12 > 0:16:15He's more upset that they took his last beer...
0:16:15 > 0:16:16They are despicable!
0:16:18 > 0:16:19Oh, no.
0:16:21 > 0:16:26Back in West Yorkshire, I am helping 95-year-old Nellie.
0:16:26 > 0:16:29She arrived back home after respite care to find burglars
0:16:29 > 0:16:31had broken into her house.
0:16:31 > 0:16:33She is vulnerable and her family are worried about
0:16:33 > 0:16:36whether she can continue living on her own.
0:16:36 > 0:16:40PC Dave Masters has told us where the gaps are in her security
0:16:40 > 0:16:43and Neil has come to bring things up to date.
0:16:43 > 0:16:48First job, he is going to fit a passive infrared motion sensor alarm.
0:16:48 > 0:16:52How I'll set this up is, it is connected to your phone line,
0:16:52 > 0:16:54so if anybody comes in and trips this PIR,
0:16:54 > 0:16:58what it will do is it will set off a high-pitched alarm,
0:16:58 > 0:17:01but what it will also do, it will bring up to five different people
0:17:01 > 0:17:04to notify you that it has been set off.
0:17:04 > 0:17:06It is a very simple device.
0:17:06 > 0:17:10Also, in the conservatory, what I will do, I'll put these in.
0:17:10 > 0:17:13What it is is an invisible beam that shoots across.
0:17:13 > 0:17:16This will be inside the conservatory somewhere so that if anybody
0:17:16 > 0:17:21comes in and breaks that beam, a high-pitched sound will set off.
0:17:21 > 0:17:23Nellie doesn't like to open the door to strangers,
0:17:23 > 0:17:27so we're going to fit an intercom so she can see who is there.
0:17:27 > 0:17:32Ones like this can be picked up for around £150 at electronics shops.
0:17:32 > 0:17:34- Snazzy, that. - It is, yeah. It is quite good.
0:17:34 > 0:17:37So if anybody comes up, presses that bell...
0:17:38 > 0:17:42- This is on the inside of the house. - So you can see my face.
0:17:42 > 0:17:47See your ugly mug on there. Would we let him in?
0:17:47 > 0:17:49- So if you go into the room now...- OK.
0:17:49 > 0:17:53..I can talk to you and I should be able to hear you.
0:17:53 > 0:17:55- Hello?- Hello, Keeley, can you hear me?- I can hear you, Neil.
0:17:55 > 0:17:58- You're not coming in, though.- You'll have to do the rest of the stuff.
0:17:58 > 0:18:00My tools are in there, so I'm off.
0:18:00 > 0:18:02It's all right, you can come straight back in, it's fine.
0:18:02 > 0:18:06We have been drilling, screening and hammering.
0:18:06 > 0:18:09Nellie and Elaine have been keeping an eye on us.
0:18:09 > 0:18:11I hope they approve of what we have done.
0:18:11 > 0:18:12It has been quite a day for you.
0:18:12 > 0:18:15It certainly has, yeah. Really a long day.
0:18:15 > 0:18:17And how are you feeling about things now?
0:18:17 > 0:18:20Erm, well, I'm happy that we have got things organised with
0:18:20 > 0:18:23the alarm and things and that my mum is going to be safer,
0:18:23 > 0:18:26and we hope that nothing like this is going to happen again.
0:18:26 > 0:18:30So, yeah, really pleased that it is all done.
0:18:30 > 0:18:32What about you, Nellie?
0:18:32 > 0:18:35We have fitted you some more secure things around the house
0:18:35 > 0:18:38- and we have put in an alarm for you.- Yes, you have, yes.
0:18:38 > 0:18:39And how did you feel about that?
0:18:39 > 0:18:43I think it's marvellous when you've got a nice alarm.
0:18:43 > 0:18:46I think it's done well today, all of you.
0:18:46 > 0:18:48And you feel a bit safer now?
0:18:48 > 0:18:50Oh, yeah, I feel safer now, a lot safer.
0:18:50 > 0:18:53- Everything is going to be fine for you, isn't it?- Pardon?
0:18:53 > 0:18:58- Everything is going to be fine for you now, we hope.- I hope so!- Yes.
0:18:58 > 0:19:00Thank you to everybody.
0:19:00 > 0:19:04Yeah, we had a lot of good times, really, haven't we?
0:19:04 > 0:19:07Later, I'll be back with PC Masters to find out what
0:19:07 > 0:19:08he makes of our changes.
0:19:10 > 0:19:12I loved my days as a student.
0:19:12 > 0:19:15Back in the '90s, I went to two unis
0:19:15 > 0:19:17and lived in three different digs.
0:19:17 > 0:19:20Today I am back with crime reduction officer Tony Pain.
0:19:20 > 0:19:23He is coming with me to visit the students in Swansea
0:19:23 > 0:19:26who had a serious lapse in security.
0:19:26 > 0:19:29They left their back door unlocked -
0:19:29 > 0:19:31an enticing opportunity for burglars.
0:19:31 > 0:19:33So, what exactly went, then?
0:19:33 > 0:19:36Well, we had a big 45 inch, 50 inch TV that was nicked,
0:19:36 > 0:19:39a shisha pipe from up there, a shisha pipe from behind the door
0:19:39 > 0:19:42and they nicked a couple of my beers as well that I left out.
0:19:42 > 0:19:45- Who do you think it was? Who took it?- No idea.
0:19:45 > 0:19:49Because I mean, like, the pipes and the beer, that could be students
0:19:49 > 0:19:52messing about, you know, pinching things at a party or whatever.
0:19:52 > 0:19:54But, I mean, nicking a telly...
0:19:54 > 0:19:57We said that, we said that it could be students because of the beer and
0:19:57 > 0:19:59the shisha but then we thought that the TV's
0:19:59 > 0:20:01a bit more serious, isn't it? Students wouldn't do that.
0:20:01 > 0:20:03You wouldn't go into someone else's house
0:20:03 > 0:20:06because you know how valuable those things are.
0:20:06 > 0:20:08Have you heard of it happening to any of your mates?
0:20:08 > 0:20:11It is pretty much the same thing for everyone - back doors are
0:20:11 > 0:20:14open and they will try it, they will walk in and take something, so...
0:20:14 > 0:20:16Is that the method, they just keep trying doors
0:20:16 > 0:20:17until they get one that's open?
0:20:17 > 0:20:19And unfortunately, they get lucky far too often.
0:20:19 > 0:20:23Realistically, Tony, these guys aren't going to be doing
0:20:23 > 0:20:26a full security makeover every time they move digs.
0:20:26 > 0:20:29I mean, is there anything a bit more simple?
0:20:29 > 0:20:32This is about as simple as you can get.
0:20:32 > 0:20:36Turn it on, hang it over the door handle,
0:20:36 > 0:20:38in about 30 seconds it arms.
0:20:38 > 0:20:41- This is the door where the burglar's got in?- Yeah.
0:20:41 > 0:20:43Just try and open the door.
0:20:43 > 0:20:46ALARM BEEPS
0:20:46 > 0:20:48- So are you just touching that there? - Yeah.
0:20:48 > 0:20:50- ALARM STOPS - A little tap.
0:20:50 > 0:20:52You know, that is not a full alarm system -
0:20:52 > 0:20:54you could take that anywhere.
0:20:54 > 0:20:57'People aged 16 to 24 are twice as likely to be
0:20:57 > 0:21:01'burgled as elderly people over the age of 75.
0:21:01 > 0:21:05'Maybe it is because they own more expensive electronic devices.'
0:21:05 > 0:21:09I mean, these guys have got probably about nine laptops in this place.
0:21:09 > 0:21:11What can be done about that?
0:21:11 > 0:21:16Well, you can download programmes that will be activated
0:21:16 > 0:21:21if the computer or phone is stolen, can be activated remotely
0:21:21 > 0:21:23and as soon as it connects to the internet, it will send
0:21:23 > 0:21:26back geolocation information,
0:21:26 > 0:21:31it will send back pictures of the person using the computer,
0:21:31 > 0:21:34it will take screenshots of whatever programmes they are using
0:21:34 > 0:21:37and that information means that quite often the police can be
0:21:37 > 0:21:40knocking at the door while they are still playing on the computer.
0:21:40 > 0:21:43'Thieves often try to flog stolen goods online
0:21:43 > 0:21:45'or at second-hand shops.
0:21:45 > 0:21:48'Items can be recovered by police, so it's important to make them
0:21:48 > 0:21:51'traceable to you, the rightful owner.'
0:21:51 > 0:21:53Here's the pen.
0:21:53 > 0:21:56If you write on the back of your mobile phone...
0:21:56 > 0:22:00'These ultraviolet markers work well and cost less than £1 each.'
0:22:00 > 0:22:04- That's not your postcode, though, is it?- No, it's not.- No, it's not.
0:22:04 > 0:22:06Next time.
0:22:06 > 0:22:09So, this is good and you can work at least 1,000 things with just one pen.
0:22:09 > 0:22:11I mean, I wish you all the best.
0:22:11 > 0:22:14I hope things go better for you in the future and, you know,
0:22:14 > 0:22:17I hope you get your stuff back.
0:22:17 > 0:22:21Realistically, most student digs are never going to be a fortress,
0:22:21 > 0:22:24but that shouldn't spoil these guys' time at college.
0:22:24 > 0:22:27At least now they have got a few security tips up their sleeve.
0:22:29 > 0:22:31Back in Leeds and Elaine is visiting her mum, Nellie.
0:22:31 > 0:22:34It is their daily catch-up over a cup of tea.
0:22:34 > 0:22:37- So, have you been all right today? - Not too bad.
0:22:37 > 0:22:41- And the carer came to give you your dinner?- Yes, she did.
0:22:41 > 0:22:42Oh, that's lovely.
0:22:42 > 0:22:46- Tomorrow is Friday, so what do we do on a Friday?- Oh, yes, Friday!
0:22:46 > 0:22:48- What do you have on a Friday? - Fish and chips.
0:22:48 > 0:22:51- You like your fish and chips for your dinner, don't you?- Yeah.
0:22:51 > 0:22:55I am really looking forward to seeing them again today.
0:22:55 > 0:22:58So, I think in a way it has been a blessing that your mum didn't
0:22:58 > 0:23:00fully understand what was going on.
0:23:00 > 0:23:04Yeah, it really is, because if she had known what had happened and saw
0:23:04 > 0:23:08what the mess was upstairs, I think that would have upset her even more.
0:23:08 > 0:23:12You know, I'm just glad she wasn't here and that she was OK
0:23:12 > 0:23:15and that nothing had happened when she was in.
0:23:15 > 0:23:17So, yeah, it has been a real ordeal.
0:23:17 > 0:23:20And how have you been getting on with all of Neil's equipment?
0:23:20 > 0:23:24The alarm has been brilliant, especially in the conservatory,
0:23:24 > 0:23:28and the locks on the doors and the room has been really good.
0:23:28 > 0:23:30Has it given you peace of mind?
0:23:30 > 0:23:32It certainly has, yeah, it certainly has.
0:23:32 > 0:23:33I mean, she doesn't go out that much,
0:23:33 > 0:23:36but I know that she is secure in her little house.
0:23:38 > 0:23:41Losing personal possessions is heartbreaking,
0:23:41 > 0:23:44but at least the burglar didn't steal Nellie's most precious items -
0:23:44 > 0:23:46her photographs and memories.
0:23:46 > 0:23:50- This is your wedding. Can you remember that?- Yeah.
0:23:50 > 0:23:52My wedding, yes.
0:23:52 > 0:23:57- Oh, yes. - And this is your husband.- Yes.
0:23:57 > 0:23:59- Handsome, isn't he?- My husband, yes.
0:23:59 > 0:24:02- Handsome devil!- Jack. - Yeah, he was, yes.
0:24:02 > 0:24:06- We had a nice time.- Did you? - You did.- Oh, we did.
0:24:06 > 0:24:08That's some lovely big doors.
0:24:08 > 0:24:12- Can you remember this one?- Yes. - Where were you there?
0:24:12 > 0:24:17- This is a captain.- We were on a boat. - That's it.- On a cruise.
0:24:17 > 0:24:21- P&O Canberra, I think you are on there.- Is that the jewellery...?
0:24:21 > 0:24:24That's the jewellery that she had taken, yeah.
0:24:24 > 0:24:27Because this is what I was looking for, something to show.
0:24:27 > 0:24:30- And she had these lovely pearls with an emerald.- Oh...
0:24:30 > 0:24:33Yeah, the brooch and that was on there.
0:24:36 > 0:24:39PC Dave Masters originally gave Nellie's house
0:24:39 > 0:24:42a security rating of just four out of ten.
0:24:42 > 0:24:45Let's hope Neil's handiwork will bump up the new score we get today.
0:24:45 > 0:24:48- Hello, Dave, how are you doing? - Not too bad, how are you?
0:24:48 > 0:24:51I'm good, thank you. Come on in, let me show you what we have done.
0:24:51 > 0:24:52Thanks very much.
0:24:52 > 0:24:55'There's lots of new gadgets for him to see.
0:24:55 > 0:24:58'The burglars found their way in through the conservatory,
0:24:58 > 0:25:01'but now it is much more secure.'
0:25:01 > 0:25:05We have got a laser alarm here and a decent lock on the back door.
0:25:05 > 0:25:07- Fantastic.- And there is an extra alarm, of course, as well.
0:25:07 > 0:25:11'The thieves had the luxury of time in Nellie's house to root through
0:25:11 > 0:25:15'the drawers and cupboards, but not any more - this alarm system
0:25:15 > 0:25:17'will certainly put an intruder off.'
0:25:17 > 0:25:20- Do you know what it is?- Yeah, I have seen this a few times before.
0:25:20 > 0:25:22This is an infrared motion sensor,
0:25:22 > 0:25:24which has a beam which goes across the room.
0:25:24 > 0:25:26If it indicates an increase in heat,
0:25:26 > 0:25:29a signal will go through to Nellie's son-in-law's mobile phone,
0:25:29 > 0:25:32which will then ring to say that there may be intruders on the site.
0:25:32 > 0:25:35- Pretty hi tech, this. - Hi tech, very good piece of kit.
0:25:37 > 0:25:40- So, are you impressed?- I am impressed, really impressed, yeah.
0:25:40 > 0:25:43- One last thing. I think I want one of these.- Me too.
0:25:43 > 0:25:44- Yeah?- Yeah, definitely.
0:25:44 > 0:25:47She can obviously see who it is before she answers the door.
0:25:47 > 0:25:50So, are you really pleased with what has been done up here?
0:25:50 > 0:25:52The improvements have been fantastic.
0:25:52 > 0:25:54You weren't impressed when you first came round -
0:25:54 > 0:25:56you were worried about Nellie.
0:25:56 > 0:25:58We go to jobs like this and obviously her vulnerability
0:25:58 > 0:26:02and her age... There wasn't many security devices in the house,
0:26:02 > 0:26:05really, it was just standard locks, so it did need a lot of improvement.
0:26:05 > 0:26:08- Now, I remember you gave her a four. - It was a four out of ten.
0:26:08 > 0:26:11I hope we have impressed you a little bit with what we have done.
0:26:11 > 0:26:12You have indeed.
0:26:14 > 0:26:16I would give the security in this house a nine out of ten.
0:26:16 > 0:26:19- A nine out of ten? - Nine out of ten.
0:26:19 > 0:26:22There is hardly anything that could do with improvement, apart from maybe
0:26:22 > 0:26:26the bins outside and tools which are left, but that's very minor, really.
0:26:26 > 0:26:29All of the main security devices on the market at the moment
0:26:29 > 0:26:30are in this house.
0:26:30 > 0:26:33Brilliant. I think a nine is pretty good.
0:26:33 > 0:26:36'I am thrilled we have made such a difference here
0:26:36 > 0:26:39'and I can't wait to tell Elaine and Nellie the good news.'
0:26:39 > 0:26:42You were given a four out of ten for your security
0:26:42 > 0:26:43when we first came round.
0:26:43 > 0:26:46- Oh, that's not very good, really, is it?- No. No.
0:26:46 > 0:26:50But we've been, Neil has been round, he has sorted you out,
0:26:50 > 0:26:52- hasn't he?- Yes, he came, yes.
0:26:52 > 0:26:56- And he has now given you a nine out of ten.- Yes.- That's good.
0:26:56 > 0:26:59Are you OK with that? Are you happy with a nine out of ten?
0:26:59 > 0:27:01- Yes.- I am, I don't mind.
0:27:01 > 0:27:05- You don't mind. - She doesn't mind at all.
0:27:05 > 0:27:06I think that is a pretty...
0:27:06 > 0:27:08I think that is really good, and we know
0:27:08 > 0:27:10that everything is really safe, yes.
0:27:12 > 0:27:14It is like a James Bond lair in here now!
0:27:14 > 0:27:16- It is.- Isn't it? Yeah.
0:27:18 > 0:27:21When I was with Nellie, it really made me think
0:27:21 > 0:27:23about my own grandparents' home security
0:27:23 > 0:27:25and I am definitely going to be checking that out.
0:27:25 > 0:27:28And I am sure those students in Swansea are going to be a lot more
0:27:28 > 0:27:32switched on about who is coming and going from the house from now on.
0:27:32 > 0:27:35- Anyway, that's it for now. See you next time.- Bye-bye.