Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Hi all! We have been experiencing an issue on site where threads have been missing the latest postings. The platform host Vanilla are working on this issue. A workaround that has been used by some is to navigate back from 1 to 10+ pages to re-sync the thread and this will then show the latest posts. Thanks, Mike.
Hi there,
There is an issue with role permissions that is being worked on at the moment.
If you are having trouble with access or permissions on regional forums please post here to get access: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058365403/you-do-not-have-permission-for-that#latest

Why are people so fearful of burglaries at night?

  • 05-05-2012 1:11pm
    #1
    Registered Users Posts: 186 ✭✭


    statistics ironically show that over night is one of the least likely timeframes for an intruder to enter your house and it makes perfect logical sense. Alarms tend to be on at that time, out of the ordinary sounds are more noted and people are more likely to view you as suspicious if you're seen in the area at that time.

    The most likely time you are to be burgled is during the middle of the day, you can survey the premises without suspicion, there's going to be less or no people in the targetted house and even if there is with TV and everything else its a lot easier to drown out noise you might be causing.


«13

Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,533 ✭✭✭Jester252


    because its dark


  • Registered Users Posts: 55 ✭✭Brandog


    Because you're asleep and vulnerable???


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,301 ✭✭✭Daveysil15


    Everything is scarier at night including burglaries


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,572 ✭✭✭✭brummytom


    You're more likely to be burgled while you're asleep than when you're sitting in the living room watching Corrie


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 330 ✭✭mongdesade


    Why are people so fearful of burglaries at night ?

    Because you're more vulnerable when you're sleeping soundly in your bed & the fear of someone entering your safe zone when you're at your most vulnerable stems from a basic primal instinct methinks


  • Advertisement
  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,431 ✭✭✭M cebee


    a lot of people out the country are afraid of aggravated burglaries at night


  • Registered Users Posts: 174 ✭✭DonQuay1


    statistics ironically show that over night is one of the least likely timeframes for an intruder to enter your house and it makes perfect logical sense. Alarms tend to be on at that time, out of the ordinary sounds are more noted and people are more likely to view you as suspicious if you're seen in the area at that time.

    The most likely time you are to be burgled is during the middle of the day, you can survey the premises without suspicion, there's going to be less or no people in the targetted house and even if there is with TV and everything else its a lot easier to drown out noise you might be causing.


    You only get burglaries at night.

    During the day - you get break-ins.

    :)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,416 ✭✭✭Maldesu



    The most likely time you are to be burgled is during the middle of the day, you can survey the premises without suspicion, there's going to be less or no people in the targetted house and even if there is with TV and everything else its a lot easier to drown out noise you might be causing.

    Sounds like you have experience. :D

    Serious though, during the day most people are at work, so the house security is 'out of sight, out of mind'. The annoyance of the day probably overrides any concern for your TV or other shiny things.

    Night time you are in the location, its quieter and you focus more on what you hear outside. It's also the time when you are at your most vulnerable, tucked up in your bed, maybe in some PJ's or arse naked, bare feet and the closest thing you have for a weapon is your iPhone. You hear a noise in the middle of the night, the first thing you do it try figure out what it is and what your supposed to do :-

    So you run down the stairs, bellowing at the top of your lungs, barge through the doors (barely noticing that your TV is just fine) to arrive in the kitchen where your 6 year old is staring at you wide eyed, terrified and covered in chocolate.... and your standing in the broken glass of a Nutella jar. :eek:

    So, why are we fearful, because we usually don't have a clue as to what the hell is going on and we think the big box on the door will scare away the bad thieving people.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 10,968 ✭✭✭✭Praetorian Saighdiuir


    Ghost Burglars!! :eek:


  • Registered Users Posts: 777 ✭✭✭H2UMrsRobinson


    People are right to be more scared of night-time burglaries.

    I've had my house broken into twice (different houses) once during the day, they just forced the front door open, which was bad enough but the most traumatic one was when we were burgled whilst asleep in our beds.

    Came down in the morning to utter devastation in the lounge and kitchen. I always thought I'd wake up if anyone broke in but we all slept through it, and judging by the mess, they must've made some noise. In retrospect I'm glad none of us woke up, who know's what could've happened if one of us had gone downstairs.

    We were lucky both times, they seemed to be just looking for cash (skagheads most likely) they didn't take anything large, not even the laptop or phones but the thought of someone in your house while you sleep soundly in your bed is horrific and not something I ever want to go through again. Finding my handbag and it's contents strewn accross the back garden was the worst thing. A lady's handbag is a sacred personal item and to this day I always take my handbag to bed with me and put it in my bedside locker.

    Sleep well folks :D


  • Advertisement
  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 2,827 ✭✭✭christmas2012


    because at night they are taken by suprise and are more sleepy and vunerable at night


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 12,395 ✭✭✭✭mikemac1


    Has happened to me

    And I wouldn't say it's fear but it's downright fooking outrage then someone came in and stood over me while I was asleep

    You could not be more vulnerable
    And it's being vulnerable that's the difference. Not sure would I say feel violated but something along that line


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 24,112 ✭✭✭✭ejmaztec


    When junkies are burgling, they don't know whether it's day or night, and they also don't care if anyone's in or not. All they want is to find your Apple product so that they can get a few quid for a quick fix.


  • Registered Users Posts: 243 ✭✭Recessionbust


    Lock all downstairs internal doors going to bed, invest in some Personal protection equipment (Not the kind you get in the chemist :D ) if somebody gets in they are confined to one room and you have the advantage of having something in your hand pointing in their direction when you open the door


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 292 ✭✭Eroticfishcake


    mikemac1 wrote: »

    ..then someone came in and stood over me while I was asleep

    Now that would scare the living b'jaysis out of me, I don't think I would ever sleep again :(


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,219 ✭✭✭PK2008


    Because you touch yourself


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,545 ✭✭✭SteoL


    mikemac1 wrote: »
    Has happened to me

    And I wouldn't say it's fear but it's downright fooking outrage then someone came in and stood over me while I was asleep

    You could not be more vulnerable
    And it's being vulnerable that's the difference. Not sure would I say feel violated but something along that line

    I'd say that is scary alright. What did they do when you woke up and saw them there?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 22,048 ✭✭✭✭Snowie


    my dog sleeps bye the door and patrols the house at night... thats what a dogs for, a deterrent and if the dumb fvcks still try break in there just stupid...


  • Registered Users Posts: 121 ✭✭Chamone MF


    I've no strong fear of burglaries or break-ins tbh.
    Theres not much worth taking. x-box, fta-satellite box, tv is old and bulky....thats it ...bar the hoover.


  • Registered Users Posts: 243 ✭✭Recessionbust


    Chamone MF wrote: »
    bar the hoover.

    You should keep that locked away otherwise you are just giving them a clean get away :D


  • Advertisement
  • Closed Accounts Posts: 12,395 ✭✭✭✭mikemac1


    The closure of rural garda stations started long ago and tbh was going on before we even entered the recession.
    Loads of them closed during the Celtic Tiger

    In some ways it might even be short sighted as the local garda knew everyone and could prevent issues. Like which farmers had valuable machinery and were there suspicious cars following the oil delivery man around and so on

    If you have an emergency how is the squad from town going to find you up the hill, in the townland past the parish, before the reservoir but past the national school?
    That's where I live :)

    We don't have post-codes and if you need a squad car at night they might never come or be over an hour away

    At least the local garda lived with you and knew who you were
    If you're from a rural village you probably know what I mean


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,916 ✭✭✭shopaholic01


    So many horror stories of people bringing bags, car keys etc. to bed with them, and being woken up by scumbags threatening them. I have even heard stories of people realising jewellery had been taking from their room while they slept:eek:. It would be very hard to feel safe in your bed again.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,402 ✭✭✭HarryPotter41




  • Registered Users Posts: 777 ✭✭✭H2UMrsRobinson


    So many horror stories of people bringing bags, car keys etc. to bed with them, and being woken up by scumbags threatening them. I have even heard stories of people realising jewellery had been taking from their room while they slept:eek:. It would be very hard to feel safe in your bed again.

    oh good lord, what do I do with the handbag now !!!:eek:

    loft hatch ?


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 112 ✭✭someuser905


    on monday at 4am i was woken by someone trying to get in my back door, i came down and he jumped over back wall
    called the garda... they didnt come
    im getting razor wire for the walls and buying some weapons


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,431 ✭✭✭M cebee


    farmers out the country often have a dog outside and a shotgun beside the bed
    in case anyone calls


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 330 ✭✭mongdesade


    M cebee wrote: »
    farmers out the country often have a dog outside and a shotgun beside the bed
    in case anyone calls

    Not just farmers out the country, my 12 gauge aids restfull sleep ;)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 378 ✭✭cade


    From my own experience the two times my house has been targeted was during the night.

    The other four burglaries and four car thefts in my estate in the last year have all happened at night.

    There's only been one instance during the day when a guy opened my back gate, walked up my garden towards my house while everyone else was out. He stopped in his tracks and started spewing something about wanting to ask directions when he noticed me staring at him from another corner of the garden. He made a quick retreat when I started questioning his actions.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 594 ✭✭✭carfiosaoorl


    In the last house I lived in I often couldn't sleep for fear of someone breaking in. I don't care about stuff being stolen more worried about something happening to my kids or myself. I know a girl whose flat was broken into while she was asleep and the guy beat the crap out of her in her bed. He was a complete stranger to her.


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users Posts: 2,512 ✭✭✭Ellis Dee


    Chamone MF wrote: »
    I've no strong fear of burglaries or break-ins tbh.
    Theres not much worth taking. x-box, fta-satellite box, tv is old and bulky....thats it ...bar the hoover.


    Read the papers and see that old rural dwellers with even less material possessions than you have had their most precious asset - their life - taken by intruders who either panicked when someone woke up, or else tortured their victim to death in the belief they would tell where the money was hidden.:eek:

    I can't get a gun, but I'm very handy with a knife and always have one near my bed. Even if the bastards kill me, I hope the Gardai will have the wit to check the blood on the floor for DNA. As likely as not, it won't all be mine.:):)

    http://www.apr-tuote.com/images/puukko5.jpg


  • Registered Users Posts: 465 ✭✭merengueca


    As so many people have said, it's because you are at your most vulnerable.

    I was victim of aggravated burglary a few years ago, asleep on my own at home and woke up to the front door being smashed in. Decided (or reacted would be a better word as there was nothing operating but sheer instinct) to stay where I was and let them nick what they wanted... they decided different, four blokes smashed into my bedroom, all with hoodies/masks on and one with a crow bar.

    As one poster before mentioned being absolutely outraged, I was at the time but the over riding emotion has been the feeling of violation.

    So yeah, kinda freak out about household security at night.

    Best security you can ever have is a dog.... doesn't have to be a muscle breed, I only got through the remaining years of living in that house by getting my dog, he is a lab but, by god, no scumbag burglar wants to run into 7 stone of angry teeth and muscle which is what he becomes if threatened!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,474 ✭✭✭TheChizler


    Surely it's very unwise to confront a burglar unless they're actually trying to harm you. The last thing most burglars want is a confrontation. In my experience and most cases I've heard of, as soon as they realise they've been copped they will most likely make a run for it. Confronting them with a bat or knife means they're going to have to defend themselves and there's no option other than violence. It's along the same lines as cornering a scared wild animal, you're best off leaving a clear, direct path to the exit. The type of person who burgles is most likely able to handle any weapon you present better than you. If they get it off you they now have a weapon and you are still a threat, not a good situation.

    Imagine being submissive on the weapons front, retreat but make your presence known, by calling out that the Gardaí are on the way or something. Worst case scenario they make off with something of value, you are safe.
    Imagine attacking the burgler; best case scenario somebody is injured. Worst case scenario they overpower you and use your own weapon against you, you or a member of your family end up being killed.

    I've heard it from multiple sources, people who practice self defence and know what they're talking about, do not attack a burgler or confront with an obvious weapon. Unless you value your property more than your health.


    -- Of course as in the above post you may find yourself in a situation where the confrontation is brought to you, but this is an exceptionally rare occurrence.


  • Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 60,170 Mod ✭✭✭✭Wibbs


    Christ. I'm sorry scum like that should be hung from the neck until dead. Preferably in public. I'd happily pull the lever too.
    Snowie wrote: »
    my dog sleeps bye the door and patrols the house at night... thats what a dogs for, a deterrent and if the dumb fvcks still try break in there just stupid...
    Ditto.
    TheChizler wrote: »
    Imagine being submissive on the weapons front, retreat but make your presence known, by calling out that the Gardaí are on the way or something. Worst case scenario they make off with something of value, you are safe.
    Imagine attacking the burgler; best case scenario somebody is injured. Worst case scenario they overpower you and use your own weapon against you, you or a member of your family end up being killed.
    I'd agree, though would respectfully disagree on the best case scenario. For me that would be them dead.

    Rejoice in the awareness of feeling stupid, for that’s how you end up learning new things. If you’re not aware you’re stupid, you probably are.



  • Closed Accounts Posts: 21,191 ✭✭✭✭Latchy


    Day or night , the harder and more difficult we make it for them to break in , the less chance of them succeeding .


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,984 ✭✭✭Stovepipe


    There was a case in the UK not so long ago where the cops picked up a toerag for burgling and they found a hit-list on him. Turns out his method was to stroll up and down both sides of a street, noting which ones had dogs or not, side entrances, windows open, people in attendance during working hours and so on. He had checked every single house and had narrowed down his list to the likeliest targets. The cops were impressed by the quality of his reconnaisance and when they went to the householders to advise them to improve their basic security, not one of them recalled seeing the guy on his walkabout.
    You never know, do ya?

    regards
    Stovepipe


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,929 ✭✭✭✭ShadowHearth


    As a petrolhead: night time is the worst time for burglaries.
    Car outside, keys inside.
    Good if they find them, of they won't be bothered to look for them, then you might wake up and see a kettle of hot water over your face or your partners.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,398 ✭✭✭whatdoicare


    I foiled an attempted break in a while back by turning on all the lights in the house and turning the telly up full blast with the metal music channel on - called gardai, they didn't show up for four hours and even though I mentioned I was a girl, on my own in the house, they never bothered to stop the squad car to see if I was dead or alive.
    Since then I have not been able to sleep at night if I'm by myself and I am often still up with all the lights on until 6 am - which is when the people living on my estate start to get up.
    I'm trying to convince the husband to get a dog for me - a big dog.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 12,395 ✭✭✭✭mikemac1


    - called gardai, they didn't show up for four hours and even though I mentioned I was a girl, on my own in the house, they never bothered to stop the squad car to see if I was dead or alive. .

    Should have told them you have a knife and were about to slaughter the burglar.

    They would have shown up then


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 21,191 ✭✭✭✭Latchy


    Stovepipe wrote: »
    There was a case in the UK not so long ago where the cops picked up a toerag for burgling and they found a hit-list on him. Turns out his method was to stroll up and down both sides of a street, noting which ones had dogs or not, side entrances, windows open, people in attendance during working hours and so on. He had checked every single house and had narrowed down his list to the likeliest targets. The cops were impressed by the quality of his reconnaisance and when they went to the householders to advise them to improve their basic security, not one of them recalled seeing the guy on his walkabout.
    You never know, do ya?

    regards
    Stovepipe
    Some people have a lazy attitude to property security and think ' it won't happen to me ' ...until it does and then they decide to up their security and burglars love them for this oversight but why 'after the horse has bolted the stable ' wait for it to happen ?

    You could argue that every stranger who walks down our road is a potential burglar making notes as you said on each house and many do which is why we should always take note of them (strangers) even if they are wearing commercial clothing ie, gas ,utility etc and make it part of our security routine .

    The barking dog that only barks at night in reaction to a noise or supicious movement around your property is the burglars worst enemy and probably more so then the house alarm which can be triggered off by a fault or passing car.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,398 ✭✭✭whatdoicare


    mikemac1 wrote: »
    Should have told them you have a knife and were about to slaughter the burglar.

    They would have shown up them

    Yeah - I doubt they'd believe a girl has a knife and is going to take on (what I had already described to them) two tall well built males one with what looks like a crow bar. They didn't really care either way - it took me two attempts to actually get them to listen to me in the first place.


  • Advertisement
  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,431 ✭✭✭M cebee


    response time can be slow out the country these days with closures etc

    not the guards fault

    a good dog and a shotgun is yer only man

    knives are no use,they'll take it off you


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,073 ✭✭✭Pottler


    Had the front door sledge-hammered in in the early hours. Burglars started coming up the stairs.:eek: Worst bit for me was the two mile walk back home through the City Center in just my pyjama bottoms. Very embarassing as they were Paisley ones. The fitter of the two robbers was a bloody good runner, have to give him that.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,916 ✭✭✭shopaholic01


    As a petrolhead: night time is the worst time for burglaries.
    Car outside, keys inside.
    Good if they find them, of they won't be bothered to look for them, then you might wake up and see a kettle of hot water over your face or your partners.

    Apparently this is very common so you should always leave keys, bags etc. where they can be easily found. I wouldn't care if my car, purse etc were taken as long as they didn't come near me.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,073 ✭✭✭Pottler


    Apparently this is very common so you should always leave keys, bags etc. where they can be easily found. I wouldn't care if my car, purse etc were taken as long as they didn't come near me.
    PM your address please:D I promise not to come near you!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,398 ✭✭✭whatdoicare


    M cebee wrote: »
    response time can be slow out the country these days with closures etc

    not the guards fault

    a good dog and a shotgun is yer only man

    knives are no use,they'll take it off you

    I don't live in the country - I live literally 5 minutes drive from a Garda station in Limerick city. They still took four hours to drive to my area, drove up - did a u turn - drove away. Didn't even see me running out to them. Zooooom.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,431 ✭✭✭Sky King


    I don't live in the country - I live literally 5 minutes drive from a Garda station in Limerick city.
    Ah.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 12,395 ✭✭✭✭mikemac1


    You get an immediate response, suspects picked up off the streets and detectives working on the case.......if you are Alan Shatter

    Happened his house last month

    Anyone else can shag off, you won't see those resources when your house is burgled

    Some Irish citizens are more important then others


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,398 ✭✭✭whatdoicare


    Sky King wrote: »
    Ah.

    Thanks for that - where I live obviously makes me less deserving than you of garda protection.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 7,397 ✭✭✭Paparazzo


    To any women living on their own, you should be fearful of rapists at night, not burglars.

    Nighty night


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,515 ✭✭✭LH Pathe


    I bet the guy next door w/ his 3 kids and a wIfe has been sweating bullets since he heard about em new dongles is always fiddling w/ his alarm


  • Advertisement
Advertisement