Video gear prime target for thieves

Press, 9 November 1984, Page 28

Video gear prime target for thieves

Burglars, it seems, follow fashionable trends. A few years ago, colour television sets were stolen in their thousands — now video are a major target. As the number of these expensive items is growing in New Zealand, so is their theft.

Some estimates put the number at one in four houeholders who own video cassette recorders, and some dealers are predicting this figure will be as high as six out of ten by the end of the year.

Video recorders are now being stolen at the average rate of one a day in Christchurch, although some of these are stolen and sold “hot” two or three times over.

Last year the total value of electronic goods stolen rose by $6.4 million to $lB.B million.

A high proportion — 58 per cent of the burglaries — took place from home dwellings and only 15 per cent from shops. Sixty-two per cent of the offences were committed by people under 20 years of age, and mainly in the daytime when homes are less likely to be occupied. The rising cost of home burglaries is concerning insurance underwriters. The trend showing up so far must ultimately reflect on premiums being charged on home contents. One large insurance company says that burglary claims which it has had to meet in recent months have increased rapidly. In a nine month period, the average claim for home burglary cases rose by an astonishing 63 per cent. Informing the public of the need to keep an eye out for attempts to resell stolen goods is one of the answers to the problem. Buyers should remember that any cheap video is likely to be “hot” and, therefore, should not be bought. Receiving stolen goods is a crime but with a reduction in fencing operations, the crime rate itself must eventually be lowered. Even before contemplating the sophisticated and effective devices that can insure against home theft, there are many small crime deterrants that the owner of a new video recorder can take note of: © Place some sort of permanent identification on the video machine. Between December 1983 and January 1984, more than one million dollars worth of videos were stolen. More than one third of the toners were unable to

give the police a serial number which would help in restoring sets to their rightful owners.

So if the serial number is difficult to find, ask the retailer. The use of an ultra-violet marker pen or engraver to imprint the serial number, and any king of personal detail such as telephone number, birthdate, or car registration number, all help to identify the recorder.

© Keep all video equipment out of view from

the street or from windows.

Separate the various components of the video system when not in use, and place the handbook, remote control, and any leads or cables in another place during the day.

If a machine is stolen the absence of these vital pieces of equipment can help lead to its recovery as retailers and servicemen are highly suspicious of anyone trying to buy these items

separately. There are other simple home security precautions that can be taken to make life harder for the potential burglar.

Check that all doors and windows are fitted with substantial locks, preferably deadlocks which can be opened from inside and outside only with a key.

Statistics show that in most home burglaries, access is gained through unlocked windows with exit being made through doors fitted with other than dead-

locks. Internal security includes common-sense precautions such as drawing the curtains before leaving the premises unattended and fitting a relatively inexpensive light timer device which will switch on selected lighting at specified times.

There are many types of more expensive burglar detectors and alarms on the market, but great care is needed in the selection of these as needs differ from home to home.