Many crimes are in fact committed within the 'safety' of our homes, some by strangers (external threat), others by family members and acquaintances (internal threat). The types of crime which may be committed inside a home are cause for serious concern and include non-violent crimes such as housebreaking and theft as well as violent crimes such as robbery, serious assault, abuse, rape, incest and murder.

In this article the focus is on the external threat, ie, the possibility of a sudden criminal attack against a home and its occupants by unknown criminal elements.

The external threat

The external threat comes mainly from housebreakers and robbers. Housebreakings with intent to commit a violent crime once inside and house robberies can be a very traumatic experience leading to serious financial losses and much psychological and physical suffering of the victims.

During a criminal home invasion, as often experienced in South Africa, there is multiple victimisation in a single incident. As an example, criminals often discovered during the act of stealing by the occupants of the house, may transform into violent offenders and end up committing more serious types of crime, eg, malicious damage to property, assault, rape and even murder.

According to South African Police statistics, the reported cases of burglary (and attempts) at residential premises in the Republic increased by 32,8% over the period from 1994 to 2001. Robbery with aggravating circumstances followed a similar trend with an increase of 39,3% over the same period.

Attacks against our homes and families can be conducted by three different types of criminals:

* Amateurs - are opportunists and look for easy targets. They take chances, but if the risk of detection is too high, they will not attempt to enter a home.

* Semi-professionals - know that the key to success is planning. They usually scout a neighbourhood, 'casing' a residence and waiting for the right moment to strike.

* Professionals - spend sufficient time planning and strategising and focus on extremely valuable items, such as money, jewellery, cars and weapons.

Whilst amateurs usually choose easy targets, eg, unoccupied homes that are easy to break into, the more professional criminals may seek to enter a home with the intention of robbing the occupants of their belongings. This is when the occupants are most at risk of being subjected to multiple victimisation.

In South Africa, it is not uncommon for home-owners to be violently victimised during an incident of housebreaking. In many documented instances, in fact, entire families have been brutalised and members tortured, raped and killed. According to crime news reports ('The Star', 13-12-01), in many hijacking-related events, criminals have been breaking into residential premises, tying up their victims and taking their vehicles with the keys and household goods.

Broadly speaking, housebreaking in Western European countries is not accompanied by violent crime unless the burglar is confronted by the owner of the house and his escape hindered. However, certain countries, Italy for instance, have in recent times experienced an increase in violent attacks against home owners, especially in isolated country villas, where the occupants have been confronted by organised, well armed criminal gangs, forced to open safes and hand over cash, jewellery and luxury cars. The members of these gangs have in many instances been reported to be foreign criminals (the presence of Albanians, as an example, has often been documented).

In the United States, the phenomenon of criminal home invasions against owners who are involved in profitable businesses, eg, cash generating businesses or jewellery stores, is not uncommon. In certain instances, business owners have been kidnapped from their homes and forced to open stores and safes, whilst their family was held hostage.

Defensive strategies

The above situation is cause for serious concern amongst law abiding citizens who, in order to defend themselves against the threat of home invasions, find it necessary to review their security arrangements to make it as difficult as possible for criminals to gain access to their homes.

There is a difference between occasional and professional offenders. Occasional offenders often respond to an opportunity they find irresistible and can be deterred by preventive measures. Professional offenders, on the other hand, are characterised by experience and by being well organised and are often not easily deterred by preventive measures.

Having said that, however, a number of crime prevention strategies (behavioural, situational and environmental) can be considered in order to minimise the risk of violent victimisation whilst in the 'safety' of our homes.

* The first step to make a home and its occupants secure is to evaluate the effectiveness of the existing security measures. It is important to identify all vulnerable areas. Police and security experts can be of assistance in this regard.

* One of the best defensive strategies against crime is maintaining a high level of alertness, especially when we arrive home or depart from home. If you notice any suspicious person or vehicles near your home, drive on and call police or security. Beware of repairmen, delivery personnel or general workers in the proximity of your home. When you are inside your home, it is also necessary to remain vigilant, eg, arm the perimeter alarm, check doors and windows and listen to unusual noises.

* If you arrive home to find that windows or doors have been tampered with, do not go inside but instead call police or security from a cellphone or a neighbour's home.

* Do not give personal information to unknown callers. In the event of an obscene call, hang up immediately without talking. Consider installing a caller's identification device.

* Domestic staff and children need to be educated to look out for suspicious people loitering in the neighbourhood and report them to the police. They should have the telephone number of the police and security put in a visible place for an emergency, be told not to pass out information on their employers/parents and not to allow strangers on the property without permission.

* Employers should always check staff's references as the 'external threat' may also come from within the household. The fact that a domestic worker has been with a family for years does not constitute a guarantee of safety.

* Always lock doors and gates, even if you have to go just around the corner. Lock your garage and also the door that goes from the garage to the house. Secure your sliding glass doors to prevent them from being lifted out of their track.

* Keep skylights closed and locked. This is a common access point for criminals.

* Do not leave ladders or tools lying around your house as these may be used to gain access to your house or apartment.

* Be sure that there are no large trees with branches overhanging your house that could be used by criminals to climb onto the roof or balcony.

* Consider fencing your property in such a way that it is possible to see through. Walls or solid fencing provide unlimited cover for criminals once they are in your yard.

* Close your blinds when you are home in order to avoid being observed by potential criminals.

* Avoid names next to street numbers. This will prevent a would-be burglar of looking up the name of the resident in the telephone book and using his/her telephone number to check if someone is home. However, the house numbers should be clearly visible for police, firemen and paramedics to easily identify your home in an emergency.

* Home owners should also make their homes more secure against the possibility of criminal invasions by, for instance, considering the following target hardening measures:

• Intruder detection and panic systems may not in themselves prevent a criminal attack against a household but may be of value in: (1) detecting a crime in progress and (2) activating an emergency reaction system. The utilisation of outdoor infrared beams or passive infrared detectors offers the advantage that the home owners will be alerted of an attempted housebreaking at an early stage, thus providing them with far more time to react to an emergency situation. Furthermore, remote portable panic transmitters should be carried at all times in order to be able to summon the contracted security company at the first signs of potential trouble. A panic transmitter should be kept in the car. Indications are that burglars tend to avoid houses fitted with alarms and links to response companies. It is, however, necessary to be linked to a reputable security company with a strong presence in the area. This should provide for a quick reaction to an emergency. Also, test your security systems on a regular basis and arrange for them to be adequately maintained.

• Other security systems which may be considered include video surveillance cameras placed at strategic positions. A video intercom system will also be of value.

• Surveillance is a weapon that may be used against criminals who are less likely to act if their actions can be witnessed. Shrubberies should be trimmed away and large plants and trees avoided (as they provide a hiding place for criminals).

• Dogs can be a deterrent provided that they are adequately trained to raise the alarm. Small dogs kept inside the house, especially at night, can act as an early warning system against potential intruders. Have a beware dog sign at strategic places.

• Materials, locks and padlocks securing doors, garage doors and fence gates should be of the best quality. Solid core doors, dead bolts and hardened shackle padlocks should be considered. Depending on the level of threat and on location (eg, isolated homes), consideration should also be given to installing burglar proofing and security doors/garage doors and reinforced glass where needed.

• Valuables should not be kept in the main bedroom as this is the first place the burglars inspect. Use a properly hidden safe to lock your valuables and firearm away. A child's room is also an area rarely touched by burglars who usually presume that it contains nothing worthwhile for them.

• Make a valuables inventory and keep a photographic or videotape record of your expensive and personally significant items. Store this inventory at a safe location. It is also recommended that you mark these items with some kind of personal information. This is helpful for both police and insurance purposes.

• Lighting is an important crime deterrent. Your residence should be well lit. Consider a combination of photoelectric lighting (which automatically switches itself on at dusk and off at dawn) and motion-sensitive lighting (which switches itself on the instant an intruder steps into its range) to cover strategic areas. Make sure the lights are positioned at a height that intruders cannot easily disable them. Electronic timers that turn internal lights on and off at different times are also important

Conclusion

Criminal home invasions can have extremely serious consequences for the victims. As we cannot expect the police or security to be constantly guarding our properties and us, it becomes necessary for us to take the initiative and adopt defensive strategies to minimise the risk of violent victimisation.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Elio Zannoni is a criminologist and specialist in crime risk factors and prevention strategies. He can be contacted at International Threat Analysis, a specialist, international risk consultancy involved in the intelligence and analysis of crime threats and risks worldwide. He may be contacted on 011 792 3739, info@i-t-a.co.za