Nottinghamshire Police

Look at your home through the eyes of a burglar. If you can get into your house without keys then so can a burglar
Fit strong locks to all external doors and easy to reach windows – such as those on the ground floor, above flat roofs or near drainpipes
External doors should be fitted with a five-lever mortise lock that conforms to British Standard BS3621. Before fitting a mortise lock you should check that the door and its frame are strong enough to support the lock. For more advice contact a qualified locksmith or visit your local DIY store
Window locks with keys should be fitted to all downstairs and easy to reach windows. Even small windows, such as skylights, should be lockable – thieves can get through any gap larger than a human head
A locked window is often enough to deter a criminal. Would-be thieves do not like to smash glass as the noise means they are likely to draw attention to their crime and they risk injuring themselves on broken glass
Fit an approved burglar alarm to your home. A good quality alarm that is visible from the outside of the property will deter burglars
Outside lighting will make your home less appealing to burglars and draw attention to anyone trying to break in
When you’re away from home use timer switches to make it appear your property is occupied. Timer switches connected to radios and lamps in rooms where curtains are drawn will make burglars think twice before attempting to break in