If you’re looking to invest in improving your property’s security, two of the most impactful additions you can make are security shutters and CCTV. 

Homeowners often assume that CCTV is by far and away the most effective solution. However, in reality, most burglaries don’t involve burglars navigating existing technology using complex methods. Rather, these events occur opportunistically, as the result of a security flaw that has been spotted in the property.

In fact, reports show that only 12% of burglars actually plan ahead.

This means that most burglars are opportunistic, looking for properties that would be quick and easy to access, with minimal risks. So, if a building looks to be difficult to break into, they will usually move on to look for an easier target.

In this article, the Safe & Secure Roller Shutters team will share their guidance for understanding what actually deters break-ins. 

Keep reading to find out more about how you can better protect your property, including a comprehensive comparison of the security benefits of roller shutters, security doors and CCTV. 

Understanding burglar behaviour

Firstly, to understand the most effective ways to prevent a robbery, we need to explore common burglary patterns and the usual ways a burglary occurs. 

Research conducted by Crime Rate reveals that: 

• Around 70% of burglars enter through the door
• 67% of burglars target a front door
• 40% of burglaries occur during the day (6:00 – 18:00), meaning 60% occur during the evening or night. 
• 27% of burglars enter by forcing locks
• Only 21% of burglaries occur as a result of burglars using unlocked doors

In a similar report published by Psychology Today, the study compared 306 burglarised homes with non-burglarised homes. 

In non-burglarised homes, they were more likely to have:

• Clear boundaries (e.g. fences, walls) 
• Security features, alarms and/or cameras
• Visible house numbers and signs of ownership
• Evidence of occupancy 
• More visibility (from neighbouring properties)

In comparison, burglarised homes were more likely to:

• Don’t have security features
• Don’t have signs of human activity or presence
• Appear public or are visually secluded
• Have weak entry points 

Then, if a burglar finds it more difficult than expected to access a property (e.g. security features provide resistance, there are unexpected obstacles, noise is created or there is a risk of being caught), they will most likely abandon the attempt altogether. 

This is why visible, physical security measures prove so effective.

Physical security: Roller shutters and security doors

Physical security measures, such as roller shutters and reinforced security doors, are precisely designed to prevent access.

While CCTV monitors activity and provides a deterrent by posing an additional risk, physical security measures establish a strong and visible barrier. 

With roller shutters and security doors, forced entry is significantly more difficult. Attempting to force open shutters or doors is extremely challenging, requiring tools, plus a lot of time and effort – all of which increase the risk of getting caught. 

As most burglars operate opportunistically, even just the presence of these secure entry points can be enough to deter them. 

Although these doors come with a higher upfront cost (compared to installing CCTV), the ongoing maintenance costs and requirements are low. Plus, in some cases, they can even help to reduce your property’s insurance premiums. 

CCTV systems

CCTV systems serve a different purpose, and are designed to be one part of a complete security setup. 

The main role of CCTV is to monitor activity and record footage. Then, if an incident does occur, the footage can be reviewed later to gain evidence.

Furthermore, more modern systems offer enhanced security functionality, including live feeds, remote monitoring, motion sensors, automated alerts and more. 

While visible cameras do act as a deterrent to potential criminals, they do not actively prevent access. 

Furthermore, a burglar could still proceed if they think they can act quickly or avoid identification.

So, while CCTV is a great and valuable addition if a break-in occurs, it isn’t as effective at deterring break-ins. 

Other points to consider: What actually deters break-ins?

The key point to remember is that burglars will always look for the easiest option available. 

So, if your property looks like it would be more difficult to access than other neighbouring properties, it is much less likely to be a target. 

While physical barriers like roller shutters and security doors actively prevent break-ins, CCTV can serve as an extra deterrent, while also providing valuable evidence if the worst case does occur. 

Ultimately, the most effective security solution combines multiple measures in an intuitive layered approach. This will ensure that your property is kept as difficult to target as possible (posing the highest possible level of risk and complexity to potential burglars).

At Safe & Secure Roller Shutters, we are fully accredited and qualified, supplying and installing state of the art security doors across the UK. 

If you’re looking to invest in a new secure door for your property, or want tailored guidance to maximise your security standards, don’t hesitate to get in touch.