Former detective and Crimewatch Live presenter Rav Wilding has warned that homes face a greater danger of burglary in autumn and winter, particularly as the clocks change. Speaking on BBC Morning Live on October 1, the former Metropolitan police officer said more burglaries happen in these seasons "largely due to the darkness, especially when the clocks change. We are going to have more hours of darkness than we do light."
Why autumn and winter bring more burglaries
In the UK, clocks go back one hour on Sunday, October 25 at 2am, marking the end of British Summer Time and the return of Greenwich Mean Time. Wilding explained: "The dark is easy for a burglar to hide, not be detected, not to be seen - to go out, do what they want and get out. So that's largely the reason and it's only going to get worse."
Highlighting that darkness could begin as early as 4pm in the coming months, Wilding said BBC Morning Live spoke to Hertfordshire Police Force, which reported a spike in burglaries during autumn - a trend seen across multiple police forces nationwide.
Simple steps to boost home security
BBC presenters Gethin Jones and Helen Skelton urged viewers to take simple precautions, with Jones stressing it was not about scaring anyone. Wilding's suggestions include sash jammers, which screw onto doors or windows and prevent them from opening even if a lock is bypassed. He called this a "massive layer of protection" that increases the chance of a door or window not being compromised. Sash jammers are available online for around £5.
Timers are another tip, costing around £10, to make a home look occupied while away. Wilding joked about an expert who once left a speaker on a timer all night, leading a neighbour to think there was a party. His "favourite thing" is a TV light, costing around £17, which flickers like a television from outside to give the impression someone is home. "I think I really do a great job of making a home look occupied," he said.
Additional measures and a Gloucestershire case
Other suggestions include doorbell cameras as a "visible deterrent" that can record footage for evidential purposes, CCTV with wired, battery, or solar options, UV marker pens to mark belongings, motion detection lights, and securing sheds to prevent tools being used by burglars. Wilding also directed viewers to immobilise.com, a free online registration service that helps police identify owners of recovered property.
During the segment, Wilding referenced a BBC article about a burglary in Stratton, Gloucestershire, where Steven Paddock's home was broken into, with valuables including his wife's rings stolen and paint poured over the family's dog, Chip. Gloucestershire Police said it was investigating the incident, one of three burglaries reported in the area at the time. Wilding expressed anger at the case, noting the dog was recovering but shaken, and stressed that even basic safety measures can deter an intruder.
