Someone just tried to break into our house, what to do or how to prevent it? | ExpatWoman.com
 

Someone just tried to break into our house, what to do or how to prevent it?

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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 14 August 2011 - 17:20

Someone rings the doorbell. I am alone in the bedroom & he rings two more times repeatedly. Then i hear metal scratching sounds coming from the door. Few minutes later i walked quietly to the door and looked through the peephole, the guy was outside, kneeling and poking eagerly the keyhole with something metallic.
I locked myself in the bedroom and called DH, he came 8 min.later, caught the guy right at it, but he managed to escape. We already warned the neighbors , whoever was at home.

I guess because a lot of people are away during Ramadan, many houses are empty and burglars like easy, tempting opportunities. Even our next door neighbors are away, so the guy just picked the wrong door...
Also, we live on the ground floor and have a balcony! Easy access:(

What should i do if it happens again when DH is not in town???
<em>edited by Wild Mint on 14/08/2011</em>

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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 14 August 2011 - 21:10
We put wooden broom handles, cut to size for our sliding doors, bought for cheap in Karama, we also have a dog, which keeps them away. Hope you are OK.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 14 August 2011 - 21:00
We use a piece of wood in the sliding doors and windows to stop the doors or windows being slid across if the lock does get picked. We simply measured the distance, went to ACE and they cut some 2x2 wood into size and it sits in the space the door or window would slide into if someone tried to break it. Very cheap and very effective.
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 14 August 2011 - 19:04
Thank you all. We live in The Gardens-area just behind the Ibn Batuta Mall. We have been looking for a new house, possibly in JLT or in the Greens. Now there is one more reason to move out. I need a security guard in the lobby and security cameras in the hallways. I felt safe living in Habtoor which had both...
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 14 August 2011 - 19:00
It sounds like she's in a building... Anyhow, if you hear scrabbling at the front door and don't want to answer, just give it a quick kick - the sharp "bang" will be enough to get anyone to back off.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 14 August 2011 - 18:49
We have just had Arabian Keys (055 758 2123) fit new high security locks and various other measures (I would rather not mention) to our Villa. Might be worth discussing with them. Good service and under British management.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 14 August 2011 - 18:46
999 is the police emergency number and pretty much the only number under these circumstances...it helps if you panic on the phone...they come around faster
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 14 August 2011 - 18:34
Maybe she does not want to disclose that info at this stage, I believe she she very shaken by it all. If you look at some past replies from her you'll be able to find out what area it is.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 14 August 2011 - 18:33
To GoodMorning:- I live in Al Hazana in Sharjah
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 14 August 2011 - 18:23
Wild Mint what part of Dubai are you in?
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 14 August 2011 - 18:23
Wild Mint - you still don't tell us WHERE YOU LIVE!!!! Which would help the rest of us to spread the word.
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 14 August 2011 - 18:17
What kind of emergency numbers should i keep at hand? Someone who would come fast enough?
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 14 August 2011 - 18:15
Actually you should have answered the door (with the bolt on if you are really unsure), showing someone is home is a deterrent, most thieves are opportunists, ask him what he wants what company he is from, ask for a contact number for you to check on and ask for ID. if He is legit he will give you the information you ask for, if he is dodgy you will soon tell and tell him you are calling the police. If you seem confident, positive and assertive he will back off and go elsewhere. Warn your neighbours that someone has been snooping and do not divulge any information about your schedule- ie holiday information etc. If you are really nervous then before you answer the door shout as if you are talking to someone upstairs so it appears someone else is in the house. Have your phone in your hand and do not let them distract you. Keep it as short as possible, a simple I'm no interested but thank you and close the door will do. Do not say come back when my husband is here as that clearly says my husband is not here. Thank you for your input. We don`t have the door bolt, but now going to install one. DH doesn`t want me to open the door to strangers when i`m alone, so i don`t. We asked the police a several times to take the fingerprints, but they obviously didn`t want to do it and instead kept asking DH what HE wants to do. Most of a dialogue was in arabic too, which we don`t know. This is the first time we dealt with the police and we didn`t know all the nuances such as we had to insist for fingerprints to be taken as Chocs said. We went to the security office, but no one was there. We will be going again in the evening. We already warned our neighboors, but there is no sence of community really, people won`t even open the door, we don`t even know how most of them look like and lots of people are away. Corridors are empty, which made me think that if a guy had a knife and stabbed both of us, no one will even come out to help. Nobody wants to get involved. <em>edited by Wild Mint on 14/08/2011</em>
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 14 August 2011 - 18:01
Are break-ins rare or pretty common in Dubai? Been in Dubai almost a year and don't know anyone who has expereinced one.... I don't get why you wouldn't answer the doorbell or why the OP didn't call the police... I DID call them. They came 45 minutes later. sorry, i thought you said you called your husband first...
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 14 August 2011 - 17:58
Are break-ins rare or pretty common in Dubai? Been in Dubai almost a year and don't know anyone who has expereinced one.... I don't get why you wouldn't answer the doorbell or why the OP didn't call the police... I DID call them. They came 45 minutes later.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 14 August 2011 - 17:58
Actually you should have answered the door (with the bolt on if you are really unsure), showing someone is home is a deterrent, most thieves are opportunists, ask him what he wants what company he is from, ask for a contact number for you to check on and ask for ID. if He is legit he will give you the information you ask for, if he is dodgy you will soon tell and tell him you are calling the police. If you seem confident, positive and assertive he will back off and go elsewhere. Warn your neighbours that someone has been snooping and do not divulge any information about your schedule- ie holiday information etc. If you are really nervous then before you answer the door shout as if you are talking to someone upstairs so it appears someone else is in the house. Have your phone in your hand and do not let them distract you. Keep it as short as possible, a simple I'm no interested but thank you and close the door will do. Do not say come back when my husband is here as that clearly says my husband is not here.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 14 August 2011 - 17:55
Been here 32 years and been broken into twice; once in Al Ain and again in Sharjah. Next door neighbours were recently broken into whilst they were away. I believe 4 dogs help deter anyone trying our home.
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 14 August 2011 - 17:52
Are break-ins rare or pretty common in Dubai? Been in Dubai almost a year and don't know anyone who has expereinced one.... I don't get why you wouldn't answer the doorbell or why the OP didn't call the police...
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 14 August 2011 - 17:40
That's good to know PN. It would be very helpful though if the OP would tell us which area she livers in.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 14 August 2011 - 17:35
Chocs01; they are obliged to do finger prints....they just avoid telling you so..you have to INSIST they do it...they then call over a CID guy who does the finger print dusting....but they are obliged to provide you such a service....after which with your help they will eliminate anyone you know, and take it from there....this guy is still out there and a threat to your community...police are obliged to do everything by the book here...dont allow them to provide substandard service .... insist on finger print dusting...and more frequent police patrol!!
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 14 August 2011 - 17:28
They came 45 minutes later, didn`t take fingerprints, just a verbal description of a person. Aren`t they supposed to be taking fingerprints? No, your average police don't do that. They'll just take a description etc. WHere was this, swo at least the rest of us have a heads up and can keep and eye out. Get a dog - best burglar alarm/deterrent ever.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 14 August 2011 - 17:28
Wild Wind; Where exactly did this happen? Perhaps it would warn anyone on this site who also lives in that area. Have 999 on speed dial...in fact you can still call them...the culprit's fingerprints are still on that door...i had someone carefully break into my car once and insisted for fingerprint dusting even thought no visible damage was done to the car...it helped...the guy was eventually caught...so dont think just because he didnt actually break in, the cops wont help
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 14 August 2011 - 17:26
They came 45 minutes later, didn`t take fingerprints, just a verbal description of a person. Aren`t they supposed to be taking fingerprints?
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 14 August 2011 - 17:26
Call the police! What area are you in?
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 14 August 2011 - 17:22
When you realised what was happening, why did you not call the police? They could have caught him at it.
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 14 August 2011 - 17:22
Call the cops for starters??? In fact u should definitely inform them about what happened and also the apartment authorities, watchman etc.
 
 

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