House Breaking

Image featuring a broken door frame with a displaced deadbolt and strike plate, revealing a messy room with rummaged boxes and clothing, alongside the text "Someone Had a Rewarding Break Through."

Housebreaking

Housebreaking refers to the act of committing criminal trespass by entering, or remaining in any building used for human dwelling

How it can happen?

Don’t make burglars feel welcome. Secure your home. Burglars can find ways into your home by various methods:

• Forcing open windows, grille gates or doors.

• Cutting padlocks, and grilles.

• Gaining entry through the refuse chute, false ceiling or ventilation openings.

• Gaining entry through neighbouring house/shop.

• Gaining entry by using household tools left outside the house.

Preventive Measures

• Ensure that your home's perimeter is well-lit and secured with gates to deter unauthorised access.

• Install sturdy locks on all windows, doors, and consider reinforcing them with additional security measures such as window bars or grilles. Always close and lock windows and doors when leaving the house or retiring for the night.

• Consider installing a burglar alarm system that is connected to a monitoring service or can alert you and your neighbours in case of a breach.

• Consider installing CCTV cameras at strategic locations and displaying ‘CCTV in operation’ signs, especially near entry points and vulnerable areas. Ensure that the cameras and signs are visible to act as a deterrent to potential burglars.

• Ensure the perimeter of your home is well-lit with motion-activated lights around the perimeter of your home to illuminate any suspicious activities or persons during the low-light conditions.

• Avoid keeping large amounts of cash at home and always use safe deposit boxes. Keep valuable items, if any such as jewelleries, and important documents, in a secure and discreet location within your home, such as a safe securely bolted to fixed or permanent structures, to deter theft and unauthorised removal.

If the premise is undergoing renovation

• Secure your vacant unit with a close-shackled lock; and

• Do not leave home appliances in your vacant unit. Arrange for the delivery of such items after you have moved in.

If you encounter an intruder in your home, take the following steps to ensure your safety:

• Remain calm.

• Prioritise your safety and that of your family members, and if possible, shout to make loud noises.

• Observe and remember the suspect’s clothing, physical appearance and any distinctive features.

• Take note of the suspect’s direction of escape.

• If the suspect uses a vehicle to escape, write down the vehicle’s plate number.

• As soon as it is safe to do so, contact the Police immediately to report the incident.

Punishment

A person convicted of housebreaking and theft by day is liable to:

• A jail term of not more than 10 years; and a fine.

• A person convicted of housebreaking and theft by night is liable to:

• A jail term of not less than 2 years and not more than 14 years; and a fine.

Crime Prevention Posters

Housebreaking