A prolific burglar who wrote to police offering an insight into what deterred him from targeting particular properties has been jailed for five years….
Leon Reid, 32, of New Cross Road, SE13 wrote a letter to officers in Lewisham prior to his sentencing at Woolwich Crown Court on 23 November, explaining what features on a property would stop him from targeting it for burglary.<br><br>In his letter, Reid said he would not select a property with any of the following:<br><br>‚Ä¢ A well lit premises<br>‚Ä¢ The presence of a dog<br>‚Ä¢ Anti-climbing paint on drainpipes, balconies etc..<br>‚Ä¢ Barrier fencing above garden gates and perimeter walls<br>‚Ä¢ Motion sensor lighting<br>‚Ä¢ Beware of dog stickers<br>‚Ä¢ Alarm warning stickers<br>‚Ä¢ Pebbles/shingle near rear patio doors<br>‚Ä¢ CCTV camera (dummy or live)<br>‚Ä¢ Pad sensors behind doors/windows<br>‚Ä¢ ‚ÄòSwitch house alarms on‚Äô<br><br>Reid himself was arrested and charged by officers on 5 October after he was identified through DNA as a suspect for a burglary in Musgrove Road, SE14 on 2 October. Reid pleaded guilty to one count of burglary and had 25 others committed across south London taken into consideration by the court.<br><br>Detective Chief Inspector Paul Astbury, in charge of Serious Acquisitive Crime at Lewisham borough said: ‚ÄúBurglaries have an untold impact on their victims; it is a crime we take extremely seriously. We will use the information Reid has provided us and through the Safer Neighbourhoods Teams reiterate to residents the need to make sure their homes are protected in order to stop or at least deter an opportunist from entering their home. What is compelling about Reid‚Äôs offending is that he has never forced entry. He entered through open windows and doors of premises that did not have one of the aforementioned deterrents. It speaks volumes really and should make us all ask ourselves how secure our homes are.‚Äù<br><br>Further tips and advice on home security is available in the crime prevention section of the Met’s website.
Meanwhile Essex Police interviewed a man last year to highlight the motives and methods used by burglars and is using the film again (that you can view on Youtube) in the run to Christmas to remind residents to lock doors and windows and keep valuables out of view.
The burglar said: “I used to walk down streets and try doors. You were guaranteed that out of 20 houses, you’d find three or four back doors had been left open.”
Advice to keep your home secure this Christmas:
* Leave a light on to make it look like someone is at home
* Keep curtains closed to stop people looking in
* Be extra careful when locking doors and windows
* For UPVC doors, remember to lift up the handle and use your key to lock it properly
* If you must hide presents in sheds or outbuildings, make sure they are kept secure and out of view
* Empty boxes left outside advertise your new gifts – dispose of packaging carefully
* Note down the frame and serial numbers of new goods.
