Security Advice Please

[johnerebus]

Hi All,
I'll be in the TRNC in September and October and would like to get some external door and window security fitted to our almost liveable house while I'm there. Although we paid for it in 2004 it's still not habitable, you know the stories so I won't go on about.
The house does have lockable doors and windows but each time we've visited during the past three years it's been broken in to although it's empty with nothing inside to steal. Entry has been by smashing the front door lock, and I'd like to prevent this happening again. I'm thinking of a metal grill outside of the front door and some sort of shutters for the windows with a dummy burglar alarm and solar security lights for high up on the external walls. Is this overkill?

Your security suggestions while it's empty and who could carry out the work of making and fitting the grill and shutters would be very much appreciated. Thanks John

[How188]

Hi, I am a UK based locksmith who also has a house in norther cyprus, very habbitable.
I am actually at my house in Zeytinlik, near Kyrenia at the moment.

Few questions before I can advise.

1.Do your windows open, in, out or slide.
2. I am assuming you only have a single lock on the front door and it is locked with a yale type key into a euro cylinder.
3. Do you have any other external doors?
5.What are your doors and window frames made of, wood, UVPC or aluminium?
6. How are they "gaining entry" the front door lock? My guess is that they are snapping your euro cylinder?
I am contactable in the cyprus and the uk. howard.davies@virgin.net
Regards Howard

[johnerebus]

The topic should have read, Security Advice Please - Norty Johnerebus

[andrew4232]

are you in quite location with no others living near by ?

[Edi]

Interesting post, prevention is the best medicine, if Howard has any suggestions to 'average' villa owners I would be very grateful

Enjoy your holiday Howard

[johnerebus]

Hi,

Thanks for all replies so far. I'll be in the TRNC from September and will sort security then, as I'll be leaving in November and not returning for some months and want to get the house secured for piece of mind - not from the house but from my wife. She prefers strong metal grills on accessible windows and locked gates on our two external doors doors. I'll also be sticking very loud magnetic battery powered movement alarms on the doors internally. I've got one on my motorbike and they cost less than £6.00.

[thornaby]

Hi, Euro lock's although very popular are very easy to defeat. If this has been a source of entry to the burglers then I would change it for a Yale 5 lever deadlock. If you are unsure what the Eurolock looks like then have a look on the Screwfix web site.
We have security bars fitted. They looked really formidable untill you realise they were held in place withh wood screws. INCREDIBLE'.
I altered the fastening to Rawl type bolts with a "shear" nut.
Imposible to remove without a grinder.
The locks on our patio doors total junk.
I am modifing these to my own design,but for this you need workshop facilities that include a lathe.
"Security shutters" very easy to get past. On the patio door shutters I have fitted barrel bolts.
Shutters on the window now have a small plate strapped across the windoes. This isheld in place with self tappers. The plates I remove when we are over there.

[Edi]

Thanks Thornaby, interesting stuff for all of us