A former burglar who uses his knowledge for good rather than profit has warned people not to fall into a common trap with their home security over the summer.
Jenny Radcliffe has reminded homeowners not to let the heat go to their heads and urged Britons to avoid at all costs making the same key mistake many of us are guilty of.
The 51-year-old describes herself as a “social engineer” but adds that she is “also known as a professional thief and physical penetration tester… although it’s hard to tell that to old ladies on trains.” As you can imagine.
But in other words, she’s a former interloper who knows a thing or two about sneaking in somewhere she shouldn’t be.
She began dabbling in burglary as a teenager, starting by breaking into empty properties in Liverpool in the 1980s after learning the tricks of the trade from her parents, but she insists they never treated her gently.
“There was a big, old, empty house on the corner, a beautiful old house,” Jenny told inews. “We were testing ourselves to see if we could get in, not to steal anything. Just to have a look because we were bored.”
Obviously, it’s a slippery slope that could have taken her down the dark path of a life of crime, but instead she decided to use her expertise as a force for good after meeting a footballer in a bar.
Jenny says people make it easy for thieves to break into their properties (Instagram/@realpeoplehacker)
“He asked us to test the new security system at his house,” Jenny said. “I came in just talking to her cleaner.
“People don’t suspect me because I don’t seem threatening. But you never know if someone is who they say they are.”
Now, Jenny is a burglar for hire. It sounds strange, but who better to test your home security system than someone you’re trying to keep out of the loop?
She believes she can spot weaknesses in a security system from a mile away, especially as Britons often harm themselves with their own behavior to protect their property.
And in the summer a problem arises that becomes a kind of epidemic and, as a result, thieves are spoiled for choice.
So what is that schoolboy mistake that so many people make every year?
Well, according to Jenny, sharing too much of your life online makes you an easy target in the eyes of a thief.
If you flood your social media pages with snapshots of what you do each day, your belongings, and your home, you’re essentially giving criminals your daily itinerary, which can help them figure out the best time to strike.
For example, if you post photos of your weekly hangout with your friends, or perhaps the flashy gifts you just received for your birthday, you’re offering thieves a window of opportunity and a shopping list of the things they want to steal.
Do not advertise online that your house is empty while you are on vacation out of the country (Getty file image)
Many people fall into this trap especially during the summer as they can’t resist posting a photo of their “hot dog legs” while lounging on a sun lounger enjoying their vacation.
However, Jenny says you can also stick a sign in your window inviting criminals to rummage through your home without worrying about being bothered.
He continued: “People don’t realize that their online life is connected to their physical property.
“Every time we go on vacation, we post it on social media. You wouldn’t have a sign on the front door saying ‘this house is unoccupied,’ but we do have it digitally.
“Someone can very easily start piecing together patterns or weaknesses. And it’s just a matter of making yourself a harder target than that. Don’t make yourself the easiest target in your area.”
She’s not suggesting you throw your neighbors under the bus, but just make sure your house isn’t the one on the street, which will look like low-hanging fruit to someone who’s stealing.
Common home security mistakes:
- Failing to secure your CCTV system and monitor it regularly
- Leave tools in accessible areas (such as an unlocked shed)
- Being too quick to trust your neighbors or cleaner with a spare key
- Forgetting simple deterrents (like having the lights on on a timer to make it look like someone is home)
- Have foliage around the house that can be used for hiding; Instead, maintain a spacious perimeter around your home.
