Just be aware that some areas of the central coast have a bad reputation for crime, drugs, social deprivation etc.

You need to choose the right area.

G

Thanks ... will keep your company in mind for when we buy a place

Why? There is no point having an alarm if you leave the doors open for people to just walk in.

Oh so you lock yourself in do you ??? all the time ??? I doubt it !!! judgmental twat !!!

So sorry to hear what has happened.

Why don't you keep your thoughtless opinions to your self...... leaving your back door open ( to a fenced back yard) by a couple of inches at nine oclock at night when you are sitting in the living room is hardly inviting trouble is it......... why don't you keep your posts constructive or don't bother..........

Gosh, this reminds me of being in the UK, where I lived in a fairly ok Bucks village. I used to lock the back door whenever I was in the house. My hub thought it strange, but as a woman, I had to explain that we are used to thinking differently about our safety...

If I was in the lounge in our old house, anyone could walk through the kitchen into either dining room and study without me even knowing (and out again with a laptop and an iMac etc)!

Here, I haven't bothered to lock the back door apart from going out because I'm in a fairly remote area and you'd have to be really desparate to come out this far. Further up the mountains, there's hardly any crime whatsoever because it's just too far for the car theives and burglars to go up to when they could get it lower down.

I think it could be more down to how you were brought up/circumstances.

In our house, it's my husband who always lock up, I'd happily leave the door unlocked when we're home, even at night. Geez, I wouldn't even be bothered that much leaving the back door unlocked when we're not home!
It's because I grew up in country area's, and my parents are very 'easy'.

Still, living in the city now, I am becoming more careful myself. And especially hearing more and more of these 'home invasion' stories!


Sel, yes, I can imagine it's the after affects that are the worst! My friend(not a best friend or anything, more my best friend's other best friend ) only told me about it after a few hours together, when I dropped her off at home, she said to my friend 'oh btw, they've caught the guy'. And then I asked 'huh, what guy???!!!'.
She didn't seem to fazed. But the thing is, who knows how she must be feeling going to bed at night, etc.
I'm sure you don't get over stuff like this that quickly!
I'll see her again on Thursday, and want more details, and I'll ask how she is actually doing now.

Very true. I was brought up to lock the doors, never leave keys in flowerpots etc. I want the doors closed and locked at night, won't leave the doors open if I'm in a back room.
I now have a husband who leaves keys in shoes, leaves expensive shoes and clothes outside. He leaves the doors open all night when he can, not even locking the flyscreens.
Maybe I'm a bit too cautious - but I worked for the police for many years. He is probably too relaxed - but he grew up in country Australia.
Different ideas come from upbringing, but sometimes need to change with circumstances.

Do what I do - leave a few strips of masking tape across those entrances.












With tacks stuck up the sharp way

Its fine to let them in - its ensuring they cant get out :scared:

Unbelievable cheek of tha bustad!

Time to keep those doors locked...

Also, have you considered wirless network cameras set up for motion detection? If this happened again it would catch the bustad in the act and immediately email the evidence so that even if they stole the camera, you would have them banged to rights...

Well I have just been informed by our next door but one neighbour that someone tried to break into there house at four in the morning but was caught in the act by him and chased ... young lad on own so it looks like he is trying his luck in the area ... so again I am just letting folks know to be careful ....

I am not moaning tumbleweed, lets hope they don't pay you a visit eh ! cos I guess they dont care if the door is open or locked

I've just realised I'm still not careful enough...
When I walk the dog (up to 20 mins usually), I often don't lock the door... besides someone coming and stealing 'stuff', they could also get my car keys, and steal the car!
I was thinking all this just then when I was walking the dog, so that wasn't a very long walk!!!! (and I saw a car being suspicious driving into our cul-de-sac when I left the street, but I think that may just have been one of the neighbours being wierd).

Anyway, so I will be more careful with that(and if Pascal found out he'd kill me anyway!)
But I still refuse to lock the door at moments like this (6.30 pm, waiting for Pascal to get home). Anyway, I'd definetly hear if the front or back door opened(they're noisy), even now I'm in one of the bedrooms(I hardly ever have music on at home). And the dog would most definetly bark.
I refuse to let bad guys ruine my 'happiness' so to speak. I mean, if we're going to think to much, we'd all never leave the house again! I could get mugged anytime, outside in the dark while walking the dog for example, etc etc.
So, while I will be more careful, I'm not going to 'overdo' it. (overdoing it of course relative, means different things to different people)
Btw, we live in a small street, in between other small street, it's like a maze trying to get in and out of the suburb. If we lived on a main road, or near a highway, I'd be even more careful.

Good for you ... I think in future I wont be so complacent but I certainly won't let it get me down