Burglars 'using Social Media To Find Targets'
Started by
RichL
, Sep 26 2011 10:42 AM
13 replies to this topic
#1
Posted 26 September 2011 - 10:42 AM
http://uk.news.yahoo...-090237147.html
The majority of burglars are using social media websites to help target victims and plan their crimes, a survey suggests.
Three quarters of convicted burglars questioned said sites including Google Street View now play a big part in their planning.
A similar amount said Twitter and Facebook - where users 'check in' to locations - are also being used by criminals.
Security expert Jonathan Lim told Sky News: "Burglars are analysing what's going on.
"They can see people's status updates, with people on Twitter saying 'I'm away on holiday having a great time'. If they know where you live it's like an open invitation."
Former burglar Richard Taylor said: "We're living in the age of the digital criminal and people are taking advantage of social media to access information about would-be victims.
"We'll tell them even when we're going away on holidays. We will let them know that we're not in. We're inviting them... round to our house."
Convicted burglars were asked the most likely things to lead them to target a property for Friedland Security's UK Home Security Report.
As well as outlining their use of new technology, a fifth of burglars said they monitored homeowners' daily routine before striking.
The survey of 50 convicted burglars also found the average home burglary only takes 10 minutes to commit.
A home with no visible security could be broken into in just two minutes, they revealed.
Average burglaries net criminals nearly �500, with most aiming for jewellery, cash and electrical goods although others targeted documents like passports.
Only a quarter of those polled said guard dogs were a deterrent and less than one in 10 were put off by nosy neighbours.
But more than half - 60% - said they would be discouraged from targeting a home if they knew it had a security alarm.
The majority of burglars are using social media websites to help target victims and plan their crimes, a survey suggests.
Three quarters of convicted burglars questioned said sites including Google Street View now play a big part in their planning.
A similar amount said Twitter and Facebook - where users 'check in' to locations - are also being used by criminals.
Security expert Jonathan Lim told Sky News: "Burglars are analysing what's going on.
"They can see people's status updates, with people on Twitter saying 'I'm away on holiday having a great time'. If they know where you live it's like an open invitation."
Former burglar Richard Taylor said: "We're living in the age of the digital criminal and people are taking advantage of social media to access information about would-be victims.
"We'll tell them even when we're going away on holidays. We will let them know that we're not in. We're inviting them... round to our house."
Convicted burglars were asked the most likely things to lead them to target a property for Friedland Security's UK Home Security Report.
As well as outlining their use of new technology, a fifth of burglars said they monitored homeowners' daily routine before striking.
The survey of 50 convicted burglars also found the average home burglary only takes 10 minutes to commit.
A home with no visible security could be broken into in just two minutes, they revealed.
Average burglaries net criminals nearly �500, with most aiming for jewellery, cash and electrical goods although others targeted documents like passports.
Only a quarter of those polled said guard dogs were a deterrent and less than one in 10 were put off by nosy neighbours.
But more than half - 60% - said they would be discouraged from targeting a home if they knew it had a security alarm.
Some people just need a high-five in the face with a chair.
#2
Posted 26 September 2011 - 02:05 PM
what about homes with professional cctv systems what percentage would give a home/property a miss with cctv installed.
"If you carry your childhood with you, you never become old. Why rush to end life when happiness is in the blissfulness of childhood innocence."
"We all die, the goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will."
"We all die, the goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will."
#3
Posted 26 September 2011 - 04:57 PM
erm, I'm guessing it depends on who installed it...
Never wrestle with a pig, you both get covered in sh1t and the pig enjoys it!
#5
Posted 26 September 2011 - 07:17 PM
doubt theyd get ours then
seens as my dm is cut into the loft wall and attached from the rear and sides onto a purpose built shlf suported in the oft side, the only way of getting that machine out is by taking the wall down
"If you carry your childhood with you, you never become old. Why rush to end life when happiness is in the blissfulness of childhood innocence."
"We all die, the goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will."
"We all die, the goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will."
#6
Posted 26 September 2011 - 07:19 PM
well, if you did it with the same gobbo mix as the pond....
Never wrestle with a pig, you both get covered in sh1t and the pig enjoys it!
#7
Posted 26 September 2011 - 07:23 PM
norman, on 26 September 2011 - 07:19 PM, said:
well, if you did it with the same gobbo mix as the pond....
lol, but a bit uncalled for?
satsuma01, on 26 September 2011 - 07:17 PM, said:
doubt theyd get ours then
why not ? you've just revealed the location of a security device on social media website...
I'm happy, hope your happy too
#8
Posted 26 September 2011 - 07:24 PM
well seens as its on show when you walk in the room where its installed its a bit obvous
"If you carry your childhood with you, you never become old. Why rush to end life when happiness is in the blissfulness of childhood innocence."
"We all die, the goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will."
"We all die, the goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will."
#11
Posted 26 September 2011 - 08:59 PM
thought domestic break ins where for high end car rather than xmas lights?
I'm happy, hope your happy too
#13
Posted 26 September 2011 - 09:21 PM
satsuma01, on 26 September 2011 - 07:17 PM, said:
doubt theyd get ours then
seens as my dm is cut into the loft wall and attached from the rear and sides onto a purpose built shlf suported in the oft side, the only way of getting that machine out is by taking the wall down 
"Bother!" said Pooh, as he found his smack had talc in it.
#14
Posted 28 September 2011 - 06:09 PM
I would suggest a police response intruder alarm would be better and imo better at protecting a propery. Recorder only cctv may provide useable evidence if correctly designed and installed. As we know most are close to useless for this as the views are too wide or pixel count too low. Detector activated cctv would be an option with monitoring. We are doing more cctv systems with hybrid on site off site recording so the onsite footage loss is less of an issue.
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