US2 min(s) read
Published 09:27 14 Jul 2026 GMT
Robbers rarely target a house without some pre-planning or at least evaluating which house on a street to break into based on appearance or lack of security features.
A Royal Marine turned content creator recently shared a video on social media providing advice on how to protect your house and what you should do if you come face to face with an intruder.
Robin, who goes by the username @dutchintheusa, revealed some of the terrifying tactics burglars use and, unsurprisingly, the first thing criminals look for is a poorly lit property, which often signifies the owners are away or fast asleep.
He explained that dark entrances can attract intruders and it is wise to install security lights that are activated when the property is approached.
Robin said: “If you have lights that turn on when you walk up to the house, they don't like that.”
Similarly, homes without visible security cameras, signs or a Ring doorbell are often top of the list to target as security systems can catch them in action and in some cases alert cops instantly.
Another safety measure that often scares off anyone who shouldn’t be there are dogs, as some four-legged friends can be rather threatening if they are trained to alert their owners to home invaders.
In the video, which now has reached over 300,000 views, he also urged viewers to ensure that they lock all windows and doors before going to sleep, despite the warm weather.
He added: “Consider visible secondary locks or reinforcing strike plates to signal extra effort is required.”
Another less obvious piece of intel he shared was that intruders seek out easy places to hide and plan their attack from, such as shrubbery or other inconspicuous hiding places.
The marine advised his followers to: “Keep vegetation trimmed, maintain clear sightlines to entry points and place thorny or low-maintenance plants beneath windows to discourage close approaches.”
Robin also disclosed that robbers choose to target homes with tell tale signs that its residents have not been there for a while. Robin said: “Accumulated packages, overflowing mailboxes and empty driveways for days advertise absence.”
He suggested that worried residents: “Arrange package deliveries, request mail holds when away, use timed lights or run a car occasionally to create normal activity cues.”
The helpful video racked up thousands of comments, with some users sharing their own safety tips. One person wrote: “I don't know if this is true but I’ve heard they don’t like houses with the American flag because they think the homeowners have guns.”
