Video Surveillance: Do You Want To Catch The Burglar Or Stop Him?
One of the main concerns for a would-be burglar is the possibility of being arrested for their crime
. Any visible home security device will act as a deterrent because all alarms, lights and monitoring devices increase the possibility of the intruder being seen and apprehended.
Video surveillance as a home security measure can be extremely effective as a deterrent because it indicates to any potential intruder that you are not only serious about protecting your home in the short term but that you are prepared to take further action to ensure that the criminal who enters your home is caught and prosecuted.
For this reason it is extremely important that video surveillance cameras are installed in places where they are easily visible to an intruder but not easily reached or de-activated. A light on the camera, or a camera that emits a sound, will alert the intruder to the fact that he is on film. Motion or heat sensitive cameras are particularly effective as they turn toward the intruder and he knows that he has been seen. This will almost certainly frighten him away.
A video surveillance camera that cannot easily be seen will not deter an intruder. If your aim is to catch rather than deter the intruder, you should be confident that your other security measures will be enough to keep him out of your home. If you can film a would-be intruder trying to break in to your home, you may be able to gain a conviction and keep him locked up so that he no longer presents a threat. The risk of the intruder being successful in his attempt on your home should be given serious consideration.