Home security begins with the homeowner
At ADT we work hard to help you protect your home. As leading experts in home security, when you buy an alarm from us you don’t just get a bell box on the wall, you also get our support and advice so you never feel alone. Although we provide you with the alarm, support and tips to protect your home and keep it safe, it’s important you do your bit too and carry out additional regular security checks around your property.
Our monitored alarms come with the additional benefit of remote testing to ensure they’re always in correct working order. What they can’t do is check external security lighting to your home, make sure your keys are kept out of sight and in a drawer, or make your home look occupied when you’re out. These checks are up to you.
Buckingham Palace break-ins
To mark the Royal wedding anniversary of Kate and Will we thought we’d remind you of the most notable intruder at Buckingham Palace, Michael Fagan. He made two attempts to break in, and both show examples of where security measures were in place although weren’t exercised in the correct manner, and therefore were ineffective.
The first of Fagan’s attempts was on 9th July 1982. He scaled Buckingham Palace’s 14ft perimeter wall, topped with revolving spikes and barbed wire, and climbed up the drainpipe. It was a startled housemaid who called security, however by the time they arrived Fagan had disappeared and security believed the housemaid was mistaken.
In actual fact, Fagan had entered through an unlocked window and helped himself to cheese and crackers, as well as viewing royal portraits and sitting on the throne for a while. Fagan did trip several alarms during his ‘visit’, these were faulty and never sounded. He proceeded to drink half a bottle of wine and then got tired and left.
On Fagan’s second attempt an alarm sensor detected him, which a member of the palace staff thought was due to a fault and switched it off. Fagan made his way to see the Queen and woke her when he disturbed a curtain. The Queen phoned twice for the police, but they never came. Eventually a maid alerted a footman.
And to make matters worse, all of this happened while the armed police officer outside the royal bedroom came off duty before his replacement arrived.
What has this taught us?
These famous break-ins highlight the fact that no matter how many security measures are in place, home owners always have a role to play.
The first break-in was the result of a window being left open in an empty room and the alarms being faulty. It’s important to close and lock all windows when you leave the house or rooms that you’re not using. Also, keep an eye on your intruder and smoke alarms. Although ADT provide servicing, you should still check them manually.
Fagan’s second attempt is another example of an alarm sounding and not being checked properly. Even when you think it is a false alarm you should always be precautious and check your home. This is one of the positives of having a monitored alarm as ADT alarms are never ignored.
This year more than 630,000 people could be burgled. Avoid being a part of that statistic by carrying out security measures around your home.
