Need more home security, but how?

PippiLongstocking · 19 Aug 2020 at 08:49

Hi everyone. Due to a neighbour who's behaviour is of some concern to me ( mental health problem and probable hard drug use) , I've decided this would be a good time to get my home more secure.

I've had a bit of advice from the Police ( advice from them seems hard to come by, whatever happened to crime prevention dept?) who suggest first step is a smart doorbell .
I already have a nest central heating device.
In the area I live the wifi signal is sometimes hit and miss.
What should I be looking for in a device and what is the law on these camera devices in a shared right of way to our houses?
With thanks, in anticipation

jsmoke · 19 Aug 2020 at 08:54

A moat filled with crocodiles, drawbridge and archer tower.

PippiLongstocking · 19 Aug 2020 at 08:56

jsmoke said:
A moat filled with crocodiles, drawbridge and archer tower.

Thanks, I was looking for a more high tec answer, about doorbells

Akagi · 19 Aug 2020 at 09:00

jsmoke said:
A moat filled with crocodiles, drawbridge and archer tower.

PippiLongstocking said:
Thanks, I was looking for a more high tec answer, about doorbells

My main concern with a smart doorbell is that they all have some level of delay before you get the notification on your phone. Some of the earlier ones used to take so long that by the time you got the notification, the visitor had given up waiting...

What exactly does this person do? Just randomly knock on the door etc?

Semple · 19 Aug 2020 at 09:07

They're not that bad anymore. But a lot of it will be dependant on your WiFi signal near the doorbell placement. If it's out of range, or patchy, then you'll probably want an AP closer to where the doorbell will be located.

When you say you've got concerns regarding the law around use of it in shared areas. Do you live in a flat with a communal corridor or something?

PippiLongstocking · 19 Aug 2020 at 09:07

Acme said:
My main concern with a smart doorbell is that they all have some level of delay before you get the notification on your phone. Some of the earlier ones used to take so long that by the time you got the notification, the visitor had given up waiting...

What exactly does this person do? Just randomly knock on the door etc?

Initially I just thought I wanted some kind of basic cctv, to record who was coming and going past my front door, in case anyone accessed the walkway ,who shouldn't be there, should there be future problems.

PippiLongstocking · 19 Aug 2020 at 09:08

Semple said:
They're not that bad anymore. But a lot of it will be dependant on your WiFi signal near the doorbell placement. If it's out of range, or patchy, then you'll probably want an AP closer to where the doorbell will be located.

When you say you've got concerns regarding the law around use of it in shared areas. Do you live in a flat with a communal corridor or something?

Yes there's a shared private walkway past my door and I'm not sure whether it's classed as public private or what. I'm not scared but more concerned about prevention and safeguarding my property if I'm out.Ive not got any great valuables.Its not at a point where it's out of control, but I'd rather be prepared.
It's not a flat, it's my own home but has a non standard construction , old house

jsmoke · 19 Aug 2020 at 09:09

Reinforced door and some alarm system to detect entry via the windows, CCTV.

PippiLongstocking · 19 Aug 2020 at 09:16

I

Semple said:
They're not that bad anymore. But a lot of it will be dependant on your WiFi signal near the doorbell placement. If it's out of range, or patchy, then you'll probably want an AP closer to where the doorbell will be located.

When you say you've got concerns regarding the law around use of it in shared areas. Do you live in a flat with a communal corridor or something?

I haven't changed my broadband yet, to fast , as it wasn't available before.

wolfie138 · 19 Aug 2020 at 09:18

missing the point I guess, but how is a nest central heating relevant to home security?

Semple · 19 Aug 2020 at 09:25

PippiLongstocking said:
Yes there's a shared private walkway past my door and I'm not sure whether it's classed as public private or what. I'm not scared but more concerned about prevention and safeguarding my property if I'm out.Ive not got any great valuables.Its not at a point where it's out of control, but I'd rather be prepared.
It's not a flat, it's my own home but has a non standard construction , old house

It's a bit of a grey area when it comes to share private areas.

The gist of the law is outlined here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publi...stic-cctv-using-cctv-systems-on-your-property

Does your door look directly at a neighbours front door? I know when we lived in a flat our door was directly opposite a neighbours door, and i'm sure if we'd put a video doorbell up, the neighbour could complain about breach of privacy because it's facing directly into their flat.

PippiLongstocking · 19 Aug 2020 at 09:28

wolfie138 said:
missing the point I guess, but how is a nest central heating relevant to home security?

I simply mentioned it as it's a system I already have, and I wondered if it was useful to mention it, in case it made it easier to add things on?If that makes sense.

ahar · 19 Aug 2020 at 10:59

A couple of Ring cameras that run on batteries could work. You can angle them to just cover your property. Combined with the smart doorbell (also battery operated), could be a low effort thing and a visual deterrent.

joey1211 · 19 Aug 2020 at 11:11

How is his behaviour concerning you? Are you worried of being attacked in your home? If so, a smart doorbell is not going to do much. I'd be more concerned with making sure the doors don't open after a few well placed kicks.

PippiLongstocking · 19 Aug 2020 at 13:07

Semple said:
It's a bit of a grey area when it comes to share private areas.

The gist of the law is outlined here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publi...stic-cctv-using-cctv-systems-on-your-property

Does your door look directly at a neighbours front door? I know when we lived in a flat our door was directly opposite a neighbours door, and i'm sure if we'd put a video doorbell up, the neighbour could complain about breach of privacy because it's facing directly into their flat.

No, my front door faces a wall.

PippiLongstocking · 19 Aug 2020 at 16:03

joey1211 said:
How is his behaviour concerning you? Are you worried of being attacked in your home? If so, a smart doorbell is not going to do much. I'd be more concerned with making sure the doors don't open after a few well placed kicks.

It's a her not a he.I'm not concerned about violence, more burglary.

james.miller · 19 Aug 2020 at 16:05

jsmoke said:
A moat filled with crocodiles, drawbridge and archer tower.

PippiLongstocking said:
Thanks, I was looking for a more high tec answer, about doorbells

There's only one logical answer then.

Sharks with laserbeams.

PippiLongstocking · 19 Aug 2020 at 16:11

james.miller said:
There's only one logical answer then.

Sharks with laserbeams.

Pros and cons of sharks verses unicorns?

alexakasloth · 19 Aug 2020 at 19:11

If you have wooden doors they can be made more secure using London bars over the night latch and door bolts near the hinges. Make sure you have deadlock and not just a night latch.

BinnsY · 19 Aug 2020 at 21:32

PippiLongstocking said:
It's a her not a he.I'm not concerned about violence, more burglary.

In this instance I really dont see how a smart doorbell makes any sense then. If someone is going to put in the effort / risk to break in a smart door bell is really unlikely to stop them.......

Spending big money on secure front / rear doors / deadbolts / alarm systems / triple glazing is really the way to go. No matter how smart the latest ring doorbell is, it isn't going to beat laminated glass, or a big steel plate in your door when it comes to stopping people getting in.

At minimum make sure you have decent cylinders / locks in all your external doors, and if they are the basic UPVC style make sure there is some kind of re-enforcment and they arent the ones where you can jsut kick the bottom panel out (theres no point paying for quality locks if you can just break the door).