What's the difference between robbery & burglary?

Burglary and robbery are both serious crimes which involve theft, however, they aren’t quite the same thing. In everyday use, these terms are often used interchangeably and the law has clear distinctions between the two. So, what is actually the difference between robbery and burglary? 

What is robbery?

Robbery is a violent crime and occurs when a perpetrator uses or threatens to use force to steal items from a person. This includes incidents such as muggings and store robberies. So although robbery is not always a property crime, a burglar who uses violence may also be charged with a robbery offence. 

What is burglary?

A burglary is when someone breaks into a property with the intention of committing a crime on the premises. They do not actually have to do so in order to be charged with burglary - just the intention to commit a crime constitutes burglary. Burglars enter property unlawfully and often cause great damage too, so it’s important to take steps to protect your home or business from burglary.

Domestic burglary

Domestic burglary refers to burglaries that occur in residential properties - somewhere people live. This means that all homeowners or residents could be at risk of a domestic burglary taking place in their home. Whether it’s from theft or assault, you should take precautions to protect your property from domestic burglary. 

How to prevent robbery and burglary

Apart from installing a top-of-the-range home security system, there are a few steps you can take to prevent a robbery or burglary from occurring in your home. Here’s some of our best advice on preventing either one on your property.

Lock up and limit entry points

Ideally, your doors and windows should remain locked at all times, especially if you’re not in the house. However, thieves may also still attempt to burgle or rob you while you’re at home, so limiting entry points at all times is the safest bet. 

Most people regularly lock their doors when leaving the house, but it can be common to leave windows open or unlocked. This gives burglars an extra point of entry, so be careful not to disregard the importance of securing your windows. On top of keeping doors and windows locked, an Entry Sensor can let you know whenever a door or window is opened - so you know exactly when your property is being accessed. 

However, sometimes keeping your window locked isn’t enough to stop criminals from trying to gain access to your home. A Glass Break Sensor triggers an alarm when it detects the sound of glass being broken, alerting you and the authorities to a possible intruder in your home. 

Install security alarms

Security alarms are loud and unpleasant - the last thing burglars want when trying to break into your home. That’s why security alarms including a Bell Box and Wireless Siren are an effective way to prevent break-ins to your property. The blaring noise will hopefully scare intruders away to avoid being caught, but it alerts you and others to the presence of an intruder. This gives burglars or robbers a very short time to steal or cause much harm before police arrive.

Keep your property well lit

Lots of crimes happen at night, under the cover of darkness. Simply by keeping your property well-lit, you can deter criminals from attempting a burglary. A motion sensor light is a good option if you don’t want to have outdoor lights running all the time. This also helps if you have an Outdoor Camera, as it will be much easier to identify the perpetrator in the footage. 

Check crime in your area

Ever wonder how big a threat burglary and/or robbery is in your area? By checking out the Crime in the UK database, you can prioritise which crime your home needs the most protection from. If burglary is particularly high in your area, then you’ll know to take the steps we’ve outlined in order to protect your home. Other forms of theft are also common - for example, bicycle theft - so you may want to consider extra security for belongings kept outdoors.

Don’t keep valuables on display

Nothing will entice a burglar or robber into your home like leaving valuables in plain sight. This means keeping expensive items away from windows or doors where they can be easily seen by strangers. You could also take care to keep curtains and blinds closed when you’re not in the house, so passersby can’t see what possessions you have inside. Of course, sometimes you might want to keep your prized possessions on display, in which case it’s paramount that you invest in a home security system.

If you are concerned with the safety of your possessions and yourself, then why not try a custom built home security system? You choose which features and accessories are put in place to guard your home - since no one knows your priorities better than you do. To find out more, contact us.