Home security is often something people only think seriously about after a break-in has happened. Yet a burglary can unfold in a matter of minutes, leaving homeowners facing not only the potential loss of their possessions but also the unsettling feeling that their personal space has been invaded.

A recent case shared by home security company Verisure illustrates just how quickly an incident can develop, and how technology, monitoring and a timely response can make a difference.

The incident took place at a home in south London, where an intruder reportedly disguised himself as a workman before forcing his way through a back door. Although the homeowner was away, her dog, Aslan, was inside the property. What followed offers a useful insight into the role of modern home security systems and the practical steps households can take to reduce their vulnerability to burglary.

How quickly can a burglary happen?

According to Verisure’s account, the incident began at approximately 1:08 pm, when a man wearing high-visibility clothing and a workman’s hat climbed over a garden fence and smashed the glass in the property’s back door.

The noise alerted the home’s security system, triggering a signal to Verisure’s Alarm Receiving Centre. An operator began assessing the situation, using the property’s cameras to establish what was happening.

At around 1:13 pm, after confirming that an intruder was inside, the operator activated ZeroVision, Verisure’s security fog system, and contacted the police. The system is designed to fill a room with dense fog, restricting visibility. According to the press release, the intruder subsequently fled through the back door at approximately 1:14 pm without taking anything.

The homeowner, Glenda, returned shortly afterwards to find the police already at her property. Her dog was shaken but unharmed, and nothing had been stolen.

Although this account comes from Verisure, rather than an independent investigation of the incident, it demonstrates an important consideration when thinking about home security: a break-in can develop rapidly, making early detection and an appropriate response particularly important.

Why home security involves more than locking the doors

Locks, secure doors and window fastenings remain fundamental elements of home protection. However, physical security is only one part of the picture.

In this case, the intruder reportedly entered by smashing a glass door, bypassing the protection that a locked entrance might otherwise provide. This highlights the value of considering how different parts of a property are secured, including rear entrances, accessible windows, garden boundaries and less visible areas.

A well-planned home security approach considers both how someone might attempt to enter and how quickly suspicious activity could be detected.

For example, cameras may help homeowners identify activity around their property, while an alarm can alert someone when a sensor is triggered. Monitored systems can add another layer by allowing trained operators to assess an alert and take action according to the circumstances and the service provided.

The important point is that no single measure guarantees complete protection. Combining sensible physical precautions with suitable detection and monitoring can provide a more comprehensive approach.

The importance of a timely response

One of the most striking aspects of the south London incident is the short period between the alarm being triggered and the intruder leaving.

Verisure says its operator assessed the incoming alert, used camera footage to confirm the threat, activated the security fog system and contacted the police. The company’s account places these actions within a matter of minutes.

For homeowners considering their options, this raises a useful question: what happens after an alarm goes off?

An alarm that produces a notification is not necessarily the same as a professionally monitored system. Depending on the equipment and service, a homeowner may need to receive the alert, check the footage and contact the relevant authorities themselves. A monitored system may offer additional support, particularly when the homeowner is away or unable to respond immediately.

It is worth checking exactly what a security package includes before choosing one. Response procedures, monitoring arrangements, equipment, ongoing costs and the limitations of any advertised features all deserve consideration.

The experience also highlights the human side of home security. Glenda described the support she received from the alarm centre after the incident as a lifeline, explaining that being able to speak to someone calm and reassuring made a significant difference.

Preventing theft is important, but helping someone understand what has happened and what to expect next can also matter after a frightening experience.

Seven practical ways to improve home security

Professional technology can be useful, but there are several straightforward steps homeowners can take to make their properties less attractive to opportunistic intruders.

1. Make your home look occupied. Use timers for lamps when appropriate, particularly during darker evenings. Avoid leaving obvious signs that nobody is home for an extended period.

2. Secure doors and windows. Check that external doors, accessible windows and rear entrances are properly secured. Pay particular attention to areas that cannot easily be seen from the street.

3. Remove easy access points. Garden furniture, ladders, wheelie bins and unsecured tools can sometimes make it easier to reach a window or climb a boundary. Store them carefully and consider whether anything outside your property could assist an intruder.

4. Keep valuables and keys out of sight. Avoid leaving house keys or car keys near doors and windows. Keep expensive possessions away from obvious view through street-facing windows.

5. Maintain your garden and boundaries. Overgrown shrubs may provide concealment around entrances and windows. Keeping vegetation trimmed and fences and gates in good condition can help improve visibility and security.

6. Build relationships with neighbours. Trusted neighbours may be able to notice unusual activity when you are away. If something appears suspicious, contact the police rather than confronting someone yourself.

7. Review your alarm arrangements. If you have an alarm, check that it is working and that you understand how it operates. Consider whether cameras, monitoring or other features would address specific weaknesses in your current setup.

These measures reflect advice included in Verisure’s press release. Their suitability will vary depending on the property, its surroundings and the household’s circumstances.

Does burglary risk increase during the darker months?

The timing of the incident is particularly relevant because the clocks have recently gone back and evenings are becoming darker.

Verisure’s Alarm Receiving Centre data shows that recorded burglary incidents were 44% higher in October 2025 than in September. The company also reported that incidents between October and December 2025 were 29% higher than between April and June that year.

These figures are based on the company’s own incident data, rather than a complete national dataset, so they should not automatically be interpreted as representing every area of the UK.

Nevertheless, the seasonal figures provide a reminder to review home security as daylight hours change. Lighting, routines, the visibility of entrances and the condition of locks and alarms are all worth considering before winter sets in.

Rather than assuming that a property is safe because it has not experienced problems before, homeowners can use the change in season as an opportunity to identify potential weaknesses.

A more considered approach to protecting your home

The south London incident ended without reported theft or physical harm to the homeowner’s dog. According to Verisure, the alarm response played a central role in bringing the break-in to an end.

While the case is a single example presented by a security company, it illustrates several broader lessons. Burglars may exploit vulnerable entrances, incidents can unfold quickly, and the response after an alarm is triggered deserves as much attention as the equipment itself.

Effective home security is not necessarily about installing the most expensive system available. It is about understanding the risks associated with your property, putting sensible preventative measures in place and deciding what level of monitoring and support is appropriate.

A few practical checks today may help identify problems before they become more serious. And when it comes to protecting a home, the most useful time to think about security is before an incident occurs, not afterwards.