Everyone wants to keep their home as safe as possible, but burglaries are still commonplace in the UK.
In fact, they are considerably more likely to occur during the winter months, thanks to the longer evenings, which make it easier for thieves to go undetected.
A burglary occurs every 172 seconds during winter, according to recent data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
What’s more, Greater Manchester is one of the areas most at risk of a break in, along with London, the West Midlands, West Yorkshire and South Yorkshire.
That is why homeowners should do what they can to protect their property, and one effective solution is to install an automatic electric gate.
Benefits of an automatic electric gate
Having a gate of any sort can put thieves off, as it is another obstacle to get over before they are able to enter your home.
However, electric gates that allow access to authorised visitors offer an extra layer of security.
1. Control access
Homeowners have full control over who can enter their driveway, whether they approve visitors through an intercom, by giving out a personalised code for keypad entry, or have remote control or smartphone-operated gates
This allows property owners to know exactly who is on their premises at all times.
2. Deterrence
Although burglars could still climb over the gate if they wanted to target your home, automatic electric gates are a big deterrent for thieves.
The majority of burglars are opportunistic, with Neighbourhood Watch revealing criminals will look for properties that are empty, do not seem to have security features, have windows or doors left open, or are hidden from public view.
Consequently, a locked gate that is monitored by the homeowner makes the house much less attractive to a burglar, most of whom just want to be in and out of the property as quickly as possible without being detected.
3. Difficulty to leave a property
As well as making it harder for a thief to enter the property, automatic electric gates make it much more difficult for a burglar to exit quickly.
Burglars are likely to be carrying goods with them as they leave, making it more challenging for them to make a swift departure, especially if they have to climb over a gate.
Instead, they are bound to prefer properties without gates or fences that they have to navigate.
4/. Privacy for the homeowner
Another advantage of having a tall gate in front of your driveway or garden is it offers homeowners a lot more privacy.
Therefore, it is easier for them to conceal whether they are in the property or it is empty, and if they have packed their car full of suitcases for a holiday.
It also means homeowners will not have to deal with cold callers at their front door, who might be using their visit as a way to scan the property to determine whether it is worth burgling, and how they can do so successfully.