Taxi Advice: Where to Be Picked Up

As the holiday season approaches, marked by empty homes and increased travel, a concerning rise in burglaries becomes a significant threat. Security experts are highlighting a seemingly minor, yet critical, detail that could inadvertently signal your absence to opportunistic criminals: the practice of being picked up by a taxi directly from your home. While modern technology offers enhanced home security, the reality of burglary statistics paints a stark picture. In England and Wales, over 272,000 burglaries were reported in the year leading up to June 2023. Worryingly, police pursuit of burglars has shifted, and data recording methods have changed, potentially masking even higher figures. Crimes targeting sheds and outbuildings are no longer consistently included, leading some to believe that burglary is being de facto decriminalised. The chances of apprehension are alarmingly low, with nearly half of all neighbourhoods in England and Wales (48.2%) seeing not a single burglary solved in the past three years. The number of burglars facing jail time has also halved in the last decade, fostering a climate of increased criminal confidence.

The unsettling experience of Amelia Slater from Manchester underscores these concerns. Burgled twice within a short period while on holiday, Amelia’s first incident occurred in August 2023 during a family trip to Majorca. She received a call from the police on the Monday after her Saturday departure, informing her of the break-in. The burglars, seemingly aware of her absence, caused significant damage, including breaking her door and several windows. Despite having an alarm and camera installed, the camera was non-operational, and the alarm was ripped from the wall. Amelia noted the common apathy towards alarms, stating, "And who even raises an eyebrow when they hear a car or house alarm going off?" The police speculated the burglars were after her car, but fortunately, she had taken the keys. Just six weeks later, Amelia’s home was targeted again while she was away for a single night for a friend's birthday. This time, police identified a different gang, describing them as "professionals" who would have broken in regardless of whether anyone was home. This revelation left Amelia feeling angry, especially as the burglars, finding no valuables, only took a bottle of perfume and a coat.

The surprising advice Amelia received from the police at the time was to avoid getting a taxi directly from your house. Instead, she was advised to arrange pick-ups from a more public location, such as a cafe, pub, or even the end of your street. This seemingly small adjustment could be a crucial deterrent against opportunistic crime.

Why the Taxi Pick-Up Location Matters

Dene Josham, a personal safety expert with extensive experience as a celebrity bodyguard for high-profile individuals like Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, elaborates on the rationale behind this advice. "Don’t get one from your home," he states emphatically. "They could pass information on to criminal gangs intentionally, or [might] let it slip just because they have big mouths." This suggests that taxi drivers, through casual conversation or even deliberate action, can inadvertently become conduits of information for criminal networks. The mere act of a taxi waiting outside your home for an extended period can signal that the occupants are leaving, potentially for an extended duration.

Securing Your Home While Away: Expert Tips

Beyond taxi pick-up points, Josham offers a comprehensive set of strategies to enhance home security when you’re away:

Curtains and Lighting: Creating a False Sense of Occupancy

One of the most common mistakes homeowners make is closing all curtains and leaving lights on to simulate occupancy. Josham explains, "The biggest mistakes people make are closing the curtains and leaving the lights on. I understand why they do it, but that’s a giveaway." Instead, the goal is to create a natural-looking illusion of presence. "You want to create the illusion that someone is in, and having the curtains closed day and night looks odd. Get blinds instead and keep them partially closed." This approach maintains a degree of privacy while ensuring the home doesn't appear unnaturally sealed off.

Calendars and Visible Schedules: The Silent Invitation

There’s one seemingly innocuous household item that can act as a significant beacon for burglars: a family calendar or whiteboard. "If you’ve got your family’s schedule on the fridge, with a week blocked out ‘holiday’ or left blank, make sure that’s not in view. That’s a green light for a criminal, and these people are professionals – they know what to look out for," warns Josham. Ensuring such items are not visible from windows is paramount.

Discretion with Children: The Power of Loose Lips

While children are unlikely to intentionally betray their home's security, they can inadvertently provide crucial information. Josham advises, "Kids talk. You need to teach them that they’re not to talk about personal wealth or to brag about possessions." The principle of "loose lips sink ships" is particularly relevant here, as children’s innocent conversations can be overheard and exploited by those with malicious intent.

Vehicle Security: Keys and Intentions

Cars are frequent targets during home invasions, with burglars often seeking car keys. The strategy for managing car keys differs depending on whether you are present during a potential break-in:

• When Away: "If you’re going away, take the spare keys with you or give them to a neighbour or friend." This prevents burglars from easily stealing your vehicle.
• When Present: "If you’re in the house, leave them out where they can be easily found." This might seem counterintuitive, but Josham explains the reasoning: "If someone is breaking in while you’re there, they don’t care whether you’re there or not, and they could hurt you for them. A vehicle can be replaced, but a loved one can’t." Prioritising personal safety over property is essential in such high-risk situations.

Neighbourly Vigilance: The Power of Community

Engaging with your neighbours can significantly bolster your home’s security. Josham recommends the "what if" exercise: "Tell your neighbour you’re going away, and say if the alarm goes off, can you call the police. If you see something, can you call me." The desensitisation to alarms means that neighbours might not always react. "We’re all so desensitized to alarms now, so if it did go off, they might not think to do anything about it otherwise." Proactive communication ensures that neighbours are aware and prepared to act if suspicious activity is detected.

Table: Home Security Checklist for When You're Away

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Why is it safer to get a taxi from the end of my street rather than my front door?

A1: Getting a taxi from your front door can be a clear signal to potential burglars that your home is empty. Picking up from a more public spot, like the end of your street, creates less of a direct link between the taxi and your home's occupancy status, making it harder for criminals to gauge your absence.

Q2: Are taxi drivers likely to deliberately inform burglars about my absence?

A2: While not all taxi drivers would do this, security experts suggest it's a possibility, whether intentional or through casual, unguarded conversation. The advice is a precautionary measure to mitigate this risk, as some drivers might be coerced or simply careless with information.

Q3: What should I do with my car keys if I'm going on holiday?

A3: It's recommended to take all sets of car keys with you when you go on holiday. If you have spare keys, either keep them with you or entrust them to a trusted neighbour or friend who can keep them safe. This prevents burglars from easily stealing your vehicle if they manage to gain entry to your home.

Q4: Is it true that leaving car keys in the house is safer if a burglar breaks in while I'm home?

A4: Yes, this is a safety strategy advised by experts. If a burglar breaks in while you are present, they may be aggressive and potentially violent if they cannot immediately locate the car keys. By leaving the keys in an easily accessible place, you reduce the risk of confrontation and potential harm. The priority in such a situation is your personal safety, as a car is replaceable, but a loved one is not.

Q5: How can I make my home look occupied when I'm on holiday?

A5: To make your home appear occupied, avoid closing all your curtains. Instead, use blinds and keep them partially closed. You can also use timers for lights and radios to switch on and off at random intervals, mimicking normal household activity. Asking a neighbour to collect your mail and newspapers can also prevent them from piling up, which is another tell-tale sign of absence.

By implementing these practical and often simple security measures, homeowners can significantly reduce their vulnerability to burglary and enjoy their time away with greater peace of mind. The key lies in thinking like a burglar and proactively eliminating any indicators that might signal an opportune moment for them to strike.