Is my house being targeted by burglars ?

Question

I have had a couple of recent separate incidences of paint patches (blue) being daubed on the front garden wall and lawn of my house.
I heard somewhere that this may be a mark or sign made by burglar 'scouts' to other potential burglars passing by that this may be a property worth breaking in to when they get the chance.
Is this a common practice that anyone knows of? If so, is there anything that can be done apart from just removing the paint? (e.g. a similar 'code' which warns them off).

Answer 1

BUY A COUPLE OF ROTTWEILERS AND A SHOTGUN...END OF PROBLEM

Answer 2

Romansis, I don't know where you're getting your information from, but any individual has no more "right" to a better police response than anyone else. It is up for our superiors to decide to arrange drive-bys of someone's house, and they have HAD to be a victim of crime, not just have an inkling that something might happen. Also, a police car driving by your house is very unlikely to actually stop anything from happening.

To the original asker, this is an urban myth. I have heard of no cases like this, apart from people saying it's a load of tosh. Your best bet to avoid a burglary is to make your house less attractive than others in the street. Join a neighbourhood watch, or start one, keep your doors locked, keep ladders locked away, keep your car keys with you, keep valuables out of sight, fit some security lights and fit an alarm.
All of these things will help deter a burglar, because despite what the media proclaim, 99% of burglars are cowards. They do NOT want to attract attention, and they certainly don't want to be confronted by a scared householder armed with a bat. At least 75% of burglaries I attend are where someone has left a door unlocked and have happened during the day.

Answer 3

Things to deter burglars:-
Dogs - every burglar I ever spoke to said the one thing that would put them off working a house was a dog, irrespective of size. Dogs are like an alarm that cant be silenced. Nothing else will do
Homeowners who keep firearms - Even if you just get a few replicas and get seen walking round the house with them this will put off a burlgar especially after the Tony Martin case. Dont get the real thing without a licence though, your house will get repeatedly burgled while you are in prison!!
Open doors and windows - Saves them breaking glass and making a noise
Things that burglars love:-
Security lights - When they are creeping around in the dark these things show them which way to go and highlight things like potted plants and milk bottles that might make a noise if they trip over them!
Shrubs and trees around the garden - Nice convenient burglar-friendly places to hide while they watch the house to make sure no-one is around
Tools and ladders left lying around the garden - Saves them having to bring their own along
Estate car or van parked on the drive - they know the keys will probably be somewhere near the door so they can load it up with your stuff then they can take everything you own thats valuable instead of just the stuff they can carry

So if you tailor your home to suit, you shouldnt have a problem

Answer 4

That's scary to think about. Maybe you could contact the authorities and just let them know. Personally I'd do an extensive google search to see if anything pops up that relates to it, but that's just me. Could this be the work of some kids playing a prank? I would imagine if people were targetting houses like that, they're either really ballsy or they are inexperienced, because that's not very conspicuous. Be sure to take pictures of these paint splotches before removing them.

Answer 5

Codes are used by many people- hobos, panhandlers, etc.- but why would burglars signal each other? If one robs you, there is nothing left for the next guy is there?

It is possible, but unlikely, that a crew of thieves has one guy scouting possible houses and marking them- but come on- wouldn't he really text the crew or just make a note about it instead?

Answer 6

As mentioned before, burglars wouldn't indicate your home to other burglars - they would take what they wanted for themselves. I think you'll probably find it's local lads having a laugh throwing paint at your home, because to them it's funny. The only tagging system I know of is tagging someone at a cash machine, so their accomplice know which people to rob a little way down the street.

Answer 7

Mate. Us villains, just think about ourselves, the last thing I would care about is another thief or a burglar. Your just paranoid. If I thought anything in your house was worth taking without getting arressted I would take it and would not bother painting your driveway for the next man.

Answer 8

I did thirty years in the police and have never heard of anything like this Im sure there is an innocent or more logical explanation.Burglars are not members of some secret brotherhood.

Answer 9

i second michael's idea. hang an engine from a tree in the front yard too. nobody will mess with ya!

in all seriousness, report the paint to the cops. at the very least, it's vandalism. keep your doors and windows locked (dead bolts, not flimsy door locks) and keep a light on when you go away. consider installing motion lights in your yard.

Answer 10

Are you sure that this wasn't left by the city people? We get all sorts of random marks to denote where water and electricity lines are and such.

Otherwise I agree-report to cops and get a dog.

Answer 11

By Law you have the right as a citizen,to have a Police Cruiser,"car" drive around your house and area,if you think you are at risk.
As a citizen this service(which is crime prevention)Cannot be denied to you.
If it is denied then talk to your M.P.
It is youre right to be protected,by the serveing constabulary in youre area.
Depending on the threat,this protection can be 24 hours at least for the Police to assess the threat and then on going.