What time do most burglaries occur?

Asked by: Dr. Peter Dickinson II  |  Last update: September 26, 2022
Score: 4.6/5 (73 votes)

The most common times for break-ins occur between 10 am and 3 pm. Rather than being guarded by night, most burglars choose the daytime to attempt a break-in, targeting homes when they believe no one will be present.

Do burglars come at night?

Contrary to popular belief, most burglaries do not occur at night at all. Instead, 65% of burglaries occur between 6am and 6pm. Most burglars do not want to risk encountering someone so they will try your home when you're most likely to be at work. The most common hours for a burglary to occur are between 10am-3pm.

How common are burglaries at night?

Burglaries usually happen in the middle of the day.

FBI burglary data in 2020 showed that 247,238 of all reported burglaries occurred in the daytime compared to 194,324 at night.

Does leaving a light on at night deter burglars?

Do security lights deter burglars? Yes, they can. Light makes it hard for them to conceal their identity, so they are more likely to find a darker home.

Do burglars break in when you are sleeping?

While most homeowners fear an overnight break-in, FBI statistics show that most home invasions occur during the day, so homeowners are more likely to be surprised by a burglar in the daylight hours than upon awakening from a sound sleep.

What To Do When Burglars Are Watching Your House

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How do you scare burglars away?

Get More Tips
  1. Don't advertise big buys. An empty computer or television carton left on the curb is a flag to crooks. ...
  2. Ask for a reference. Before hiring anyone, get personal recommendations. ...
  3. Keep your mail out of reach. ...
  4. Stay well-trimmed. ...
  5. Get a virtual pet. ...
  6. Call the police. ...
  7. Know your neighbors.

What do burglars look for in a house?

Low Security and Visibility

They can also look for houses that are difficult to see from the road, so no one catches them in the act. Minimal security is also a perk for burglars, and they can scope out security sensors, cameras and equipment.

Where do burglars look first?

Burglars said families should avoid hiding valuables in living room drawers and dressers, pots and pans and locked safes that are not secured to the floor or wall - as these are the places thieves search first.

Do dogs prevent burglaries?

A Dog's Protection Only Goes So Far

The warning signs of a dog on the property may deter some intruders, but this doesn't work on all burglars. Savvy or brash criminals may not be fazed by the presence of a dog and might try to distract them.

Where should I hide if someone breaks into my house?

If you have creaky doors, don't hide in a closet. Instead, hide under a bed, in a cupboard if you're small, in a shower, or even in a dog cage and cover it with a blanket. Make sure that you have a phone (preferable a cell phone) near you to call the police with.

At what time of the night do thieves steal?

Thieves Tend to Break In Between 10 AM and 3 PM

Movie after movie depicts thieves sneaking into houses under the cover of darkness.

What houses are more likely to be robbed?

Not surprisingly, on average, homes that are burglarized tend to be homes that have no dogs. Large dogs may present a physical threat, but don't count ankle-biters out. They bark and attract a lot of attention. For those who do strike at night, poor lighting makes it harder for neighbors to see what they're doing.

How can you tell if a house is being targeted?

Signs a Burglar is Watching Your House
  • Strange Cars Parked in Your Neighborhood. ...
  • Strangers Walking Down Your Street. ...
  • People Pretending to Conduct a Survey. ...
  • People Pretending to Sell You Something. ...
  • Strangers With an Emergency or in Need of Help. ...
  • Strangers Taking Pictures of Your Home. ...
  • Random Flyers Showing Up on Your Door.

How can I make my house less likely to be robbed?

Here are 10 ways to make your home unattractive to burglars:
  1. Think like a crook. Look for places that get dark at night, that have access or aren't easily visible to neighbors or from the street. ...
  2. Trim shrubbery. ...
  3. Shine a light. ...
  4. Be alarming. ...
  5. Keep 'em guessing. ...
  6. Be a good neighbor. ...
  7. Look out below. ...
  8. Deny access.

How do robbers choose their victims?

The four main ways a burglar will choose their job include the following: Look for vulnerable folks (elderly, those living alone, easy targets, etc.) Opportunistic (very little forethought or planning) Desirability of property (smarter criminals)

What is the chance of someone breaking into your house?

What are the odds of your house being burgled? The FBI crime report expects one in every 36 homes in the US to experience a burglary.

What dogs are burglars most afraid of?

5 of the best guard dogs to protect your home from burglars
  • Akita.
  • Bullmastiff.
  • Doberman Pinscher.
  • German Shepherd.
  • Great Dane.

Will an untrained dog protect its owner?

Answer: It highly depends on the individual case. Compared with the untrained dogs, trained dogs tend to protect their owners if attacked. But it doesn't necessarily meant that a normal family pet dog would do nothing when a break-in happens. Some of family dogs would also try their best to defend their owners.

Can dogs sense an intruder?

Dogs are able to identify, with ease, the scent of someone they recognize over the someone they have yet to meet. Even before an individual walks through the door, dogs have been alerted to who it is using their senses of smell and hearing.

Why do burglars poop in houses?

This blunts anxiety and gives them greater confidence. It also helps explain why so many burglars urinate and defecate in homes they are robbing. Walsh's sources said it was a combination of drink, fear and physical exercise and a reluctance to risk being trapped in a small room such as a toilet.

Do curtains deter burglars?

Windows & Blinds

First of all, a burglar will usually only break into places that have sure treasures. So closing your blinds or curtains will prevent this exact information from being known, which cuts the chance of your place being burglarized in ha half.

Do robbers come back to the same house?

It is scary enough to experience one home intrusion. Multiple break-ins are even more frightening. Unfortunately, after one “successful” burglary, intruders are likely to come back and target the same home again.

What are five common things Thieves steal?

7 Surprising Items Burglars Want to Steal from You
  • Clothing. 1/8. ...
  • Liquor. 2/8. ...
  • Prescription Drugs. 3/8. ...
  • Keys. 4/8. ...
  • Art and Collectibles. 5/8. ...
  • Your Identity. 6/8. ...
  • Groceries. 7/8. ...
  • Keep Out. 8/8.

Do cameras scare burglars?

Security cameras will generally deter and reduce burglary. If you install a security camera, your home is 300 % safer from break-ins than a home without a camera. Criminals don't want to be watched or recorded-this is one of the major reasons they are so effective.

Does ring deter burglars?

One of the best ways to deter burglars is with motion-activated lighting/camera combos. Ring offers affordable and highly effective options in their Spotlight Cam and Floodlight Cam.