[jo b]

Hi,

As one of the reasons people emigrated to NZ is because it is deemed safer, I was Just interested to see how many people actually lock their front and back doors when they are in the house.

I sometime lock mine when I am working from home JUST IN CASE any nutter decides to walk in.

Jo

[eric_amanda]

An interesting subject. In the UK our doors mainly remained locked at all times, much of the time we were in the keys remained in the doors.

Here in NZ, we live in a rural area, the road to access our house is a private road and so does not have much traffic, maybe this is why I have to admit most doors during the day are left unlocked unless we go out in which case the habit of locking up dies slowly. At night we generally lock up all doors last thing, although I'm a bit bad and sometimes forget the laundry door and Eric tells me off!!!

My car however, well that is a different story, it is not exactly a modern car and so I don't particularly worry when it is parked in the driveway about locking it!! In fact it is not uncommon for me to forget to close the sliding door or boot!!! Yes I have become extremely lapse in this department!!!

Amanda

[veronica]

if we're in the back doors are usually wide open weather permitting, but we have two 4 legged alarm systems that bark if anyone is around. But I have to say that was the situation for us in the UK too. We were rural in the UK and on several occasions went to bed with the keys in the outside of the front door, and we have been know on lots of occasions to leave the car unlocked all night. Here we are in a town and are more careful about locking up but thats a reflection of living town v rural not country.

[Diny]

We live in a rural area. When I'm at home during the day the doors are never locked. When the weather permits both front and back are wide open (even hooked open).

If I'm going out for anything more than half an hour or so I lock the doors. If I'm just out and about round the village I don't lock them (but I do shut them). When PB is away I always lock the doors at night. When he's home it's usually a case of I think he's locked up, he thinks I've locked up - resulting in the door being unlocked all night. Yes - I've even left the keys on the outside of the door all night before now too.

As for tha car ... well, it would be easier to tell you how many times it has been actually locked over night rather than unlocked.

Now I just need to make sure I don't disclose my address to anybody reading this :nice1

Diny

[Dave & Sandra]

Dave's a terror for not locking the car at night. He had left two cases of beer in the boot and next day they weren't there plus the car battery was flat as the thieves hadn't shut the boot properly :no and this is in Friendly Feilding.

So now we lock all doors at night.

[Moorf]

Personally I would lock my doors wherever I was.. I am a worrier and I don't need to heap on more by not locking up!! I leave just one door open occasionally at the rear to air the house but if I do this I padlock up the garden gate etc.

Plus, it would be naive to assume that NZ is so "safe" that it won't happen to you.. remote or not.. there are opportunists the world over and drug related burglary and other crimes are not confined to built up areas and cities.

So, I'd lock up everytime.. just my opinion!

[Wannaway]

In the UK ( countrified townie) I felt reasonably safe and have been known on several occasions to go to bed with the keys in the front door and the ground floor windows open.Here in NZ my door can be opened unless I put the lock down which I do at all times when we are in the house. I don't feel comfortable enough to not do it. Our main daytime living area is upstairs so anyone could come in and pinch stuff from downstairs ( tho they'd need to be Popeye to lift the telly!) and with the noise my kids make I'd never hear them.

We did read a story ( not sure if it was on the forum) about a nurse who on the day she arrived (Auckland I think) with her son was robbed whilst in their rental because she left her door unlocked.

I am aware that I am living in a city here and one with a large number of poor people so I am just adjusting to the new surroundings and would always rather be on the side of caution.

[DrPhred]

I often forget to lock door, latch windows, etc. But I'm away from the big city.
My problem is that I lock all the doors I then forget my keys! Then I have to crawl through a window. I'm getting to old for that....

[jo b]

The amount of times I have left my car unlock until one day someone went in and stole my £6 :eek

Now Bethany can't go to sleep unless she shouts down stairs ' Mum ahve you lock your car'. So is our chief of security :laugh

One New year we were well inhebriated so much that we went to bed with the back door wide open which incidentaly is on the side of the house.

thankfully all the burgulars must have been celebrating that night as everything was OK.

We have woken up to find the garage door wide open but they probably saw the mess and walked away :laugh

Jo

[Moorf]

Ok, I'll tell :oops:

I wish I HAD left a window open last week - was locked out in the midday sun and 31degs for 2 hrs trying to break in - why? because I threw my keys into the sea with a stick for Summer and couldn't retrieve them and I haven't taught her the word "keys" yet :roll:

I eventually jemmied the back door open with a spade :?

At least I now know this place is pretty secure!! :laugh

[jo b]

Sorry Moorf

:laugh :laugh :laugh :laugh :laugh

That was funny probably not at the time though

[Moorf]

:roll: I was fuming at the time too.. but yeah, it's funny now! :laugh

I swear even the dog was laughing at me! Even my 80+yr old neighbour tried all her keys in the locks and then laughed her butt off when I told her how I lost the keys :oops:

I was even starting to regress back to Girl Guide days and try and remember how to survive in the desert!! :laugh :laugh

Needless to say I also found out what a lousy lockpicker I am :(

[veronica]

now I know why you asked Warren to hold your keys last night when we took the dogs down the beach. wondered what it meant at the time

[Moorf]

:angel

[Diny]

Now that's the dumbest thing I've heard in ages ..... and the funniest. Just the kind of thing I'd do.

Diny

[leslie]

when we lived in london w9 the car was broken into a number of times (someone even stole hubs sweaty football kit), wallet knicked 3 times, mobile 3 times (incl daughters once). that all happened in just over a year. there were 3 murders in immedaite area, a number of high-profile muggings, a near-fatal shooting, a serious rape, several physical assualts in the street, a cyclist killed by a lorry and constant fighting between the occupants of 2 council owned props in the area. one an alledged paedo. the last fight they actually took a piece of 4x4 out of our bin, in front of the painters, and tried to kill the p. hours later the blood remained spattered across the new white stucco - and they were jailed for 6 months. the little green patch/ urban garden across from our house was a drug drop. and this on a 'respectable' street full of yuppies and media types.

now we're in putney we dont just lock our door - i have to fight the urge to hide in the roof. i really really hope central auckland is relatively tame.

[Moorf]

When we lived in London .. North.. paying Islington prices for a flat that was, quite frankly, Finsbury and, we later discovered, not tooo far from a now notorious mosque :eek we actually watched my car being broken into from our 2nd floor flat.. heard glass break and looked into street (as did several other flat owners) of course no-one did anything... we even rang the mobile phone he'd just stolen to say we could see them and they just laughed and ran off! :roll:

Luckily for me was co. car and co. phone (hence why we did not go running down the stairs to confront them - actually, scrub that, even if it WAS mine I wouldn't have confronted them.. ).

[kiwidebs]

When I lived in Auckland we never locked doors when we were home, and neither did most people I knew. But there is no way I'd leave the front door open here in London.

Debs

[Diny]

Debs

Would you leave your door open in the middle of Auckland?

Diny

[kiwidebs]

Never lived in the 'middle' of Auckland but in the 'burbs - and yes, left the door open most of the time (locked up when out and at nights). Definately in the 'burbs here too but no way would I leave the door unlocked!! Having said this, I admit its been eight years since I lived in Auckland and things may well have changed!! Will let you know (hopefully before Xmas :hopeso)

Debs

[Diny]

Hopefully before Christmas !!!!! I hope so too.

I'll let you know how safe the Coromandel Peninsular is :nice1

Diny

[Timbo]

We always lock doors at night, even if we are home. And that is with a staffy in the house.
The car(s), well thats a different matter. Sarah always locks hers up, which is completely void of anything worth having (including the car). I often forget to lock my estate car up and it is full of tools. The car is not worth much, but the tools are my living, so I really should double check it.
Funny enough, the only time we have had anything stolen, was when I had a little escort van. Some kind soul removed the rear window, without even taking the rubber out. They then helped themselves to a nice new petrol strimmer and lawnmower, along with the widow itself, which is really all they wanted to start with. Yes, I do know who it was. His escort van suddenly aquired a new rear window with certain tell tale paint splashes on it the very next day.
Police didnt want to know.

[cloudboy99]

I lock my doors for that nice "safe" feeling although unlike the UK, home owners in the US can and typically do posess firearms (I have a Sig 9mm myself). The other problem is if a property owner shoots, they will shoot to kill lest you only maim a prowler and they sue you for pain and suffering. I can't wait for ACC, down with stupid lawsuits.

[leslie]

they always say prevention is better than a cure. thats one way to stop the lawsuits...

(did you know that in the uk you do not have the right to protect yourself in your own home?)

[Moorf]

Just wanted to clarify that it's only when I am OUT that I totally lock up - ie. I don't lock myself in!! :?

(ok, but I do lock myself out.. had to get that in before someone else did!)

:oops:

[Diny]

Quote Leslie:

(did you know that in the uk you do not have the right to protect yourself in your own home?)

There was something in the media a few days ago about a new bill going through parliament which will they hope will change this law. I can't tell you how it's progressing - that was all I heard.

Diny

[Timbo]

I believe uncle Tone has done one of his famous "U" turns again Diny.
They were talking about changing the law to side with the victim, but I think someone stuck their oar in over the burgalars human rights or something similar.

[Diny]

Oh right yeah ... sorry .... I was forgetting the poor, hard done by, my mother never loved me, I can't get a job, the world owes me a living burglar.

Sorry :uhoh

Diny

[Annierobrigado]

Ok, I'll tell :oops:

I wish I HAD left a window open last week - was locked out in the midday sun and 31degs for 2 hrs trying to break in - why? because I threw my keys into the sea with a stick for Summer and couldn't retrieve them and I haven't taught her the word "keys" yet :roll:

I eventually jemmied the back door open with a spade :?

At least I now know this place is pretty secure!! :laugh

hi moorf

you took a long time in owning up to that piece! i guffawed.

:P :clap
annie

[Annierobrigado]

in manila you always lock up but the thieves can still get to you. nobody leaves their cars unlocked, but if you're really unfortunate, you lose your car stereo, or tv or loose change, or even the car itself.

i can live with thieves. i can't live with rapists. wasn't there a news story in nz about one?

whatever happened to camelot?

annie

[leslie]

last year we had a house/ cat sitter while in oz for 5 weeks. he was so forgetful with keys that within a week he had collected all the neighbours spare keys and thereafter climbed in the rear kitchen window (1st floor). noone reported him. didn't know whether to laugh or cry

[jo b]

they always say prevention is better than a cure. thats one way to stop the lawsuits...

(did you know that in the uk you do not have the right to protect yourself in your own home?)

The reason Uncle Tony has done a U turn (I am NOt defending him here). Is that there is already a law which says you do have the right to use reasonable force to protect yourself and property. Where the grey area starts is what people define as reasonable.

Jo

[Jo and Andy]

I always lock the door and if Andy is away, double lock it. Live is nice area, but 13 year old girl raped 100 yards from our house last summer.

Round the corner from where I work there were drive by shooting last week, and 2004 new year the two teenagers got shot.

Hoping christchurch will be a bit safer, and I won't mind letting Rhiannon out to play freely without me peeping out of the curtains to check where she is all the time, it' doesn't help keeping the house tidy.

My friend never really locked her front door until recently, when she heard noises downstairs and thought her husband was home, only to find someone she had never met, who made an excuse and left quickly thank god. She now locks it allthe time.

On the other extreme, my mother in law lives int the warwickshire country side and leaves her door unlocked when she is in or when she takes the dog out. No problems. (still think she should lock it).

But that it the kind of world we live in.

[Rimbo]

I was gonna join in on this thread yesterday, but thought better of it in-case I tempt fate and I didn’t have much to offer in break-in’s etc.

Today I have an offering. :?

Went out to the car this morning to find it unlocked and glove box open. :uhoh

In my haste during the rain yesterday I had neglected to check whether it was locked although I’m sure I pressed the remote. Needless to say it was one of those very rare occasions when, cos my hands were full and it was raining that the the radio was left in the car. :roll: Now I know you are all gonna say I’m stupid, cos I would. Anybody that leaves wallets, phones, jackets, handbags on display really do deserve what they get! As do people who leave “face Off” stereo’s in their car. Like me. :wah

So, sorry to say that last night some-one made off with my stereo and my favourite CD collection of Barry Manilow’s hits! They left the pen and sunglasses and neglected to search in the ash tray for the 22p I have left. They also didn’t check that for my immobiliser key, or they could have took the car, perhaps they didn’t want it though. :no

I must say that I am quite trusting and we have been known to go to bed and wake in the morning with the house open. Porch door wide agape, hall door unlocked and back door unlocked. Recent events will make me think a little more and start to use the alarm again.. Sad isn’t it that sometimes we only learn by hard lessons and mistakes. :booby :booby

John

[Jo and Andy]

Sorry to hear your news.

Had my car broken into twice, once outside the house, once outside an indian resturant (resturant very nice and even vaccumed the car for me).

Also had glue poured all over the car. Needles to say the car now goes in the garage with the door locked, husband has company car so any damage not as much of a worry, got it keyed once all down one side, in the drive, total respray.

One of the reasons why I want to move to a slightly smaller less crime ridden city than birmingham.

[Diny]

Hey Rimbo

What a bummer !!! bet you feel as sick as a parrot this morning.

But one thing mate .......... Barry mannilow records ????? :eek

Diny

[Moorf]

You better keep an eye on eBay and use that 22p to get your Manilows back :laugh

[Rimbo]

I was joking about Big nose bazza's hits.
They did take my CD wallet but it was full of copies, they even got susan's Will young CD..shame....

At the copa-
copa-kabana
music and fasion and a whole lot of........

just found out they smashed an old blokes rear quater window round the corner and took a gym bag off the back seat. they did not bother opening the car doors incase his alarm went off cos he said his glove box was intact.

Wonder how many more were done last night round here. :uhoh


John

[Mildred]

Never lock house and even go out with courtyard doors open so rabbits can come in and out but we do have a Rottweiller (even if the replacement is only 11 weeks old).

As for car, never lock it at night. I would drather they opened the door and saw there was nothing to steal then have to pay £50 excess for damaged windows. If someone wants to steal my car then they are welcome to it and if they want it enough they are going to get into it regardless of whether I lock it.

Believe it or not I'm not alone with this. Many of my old colleagues in the police also were lapse with security. The funniest thing was when our Crime Prevention Officer had his house burgled :booby

[wayne]

we never lock the house if we are in ,never lock it at night and this week we went out in the morning to find we hadnt locked the car and wifes purse was still on the dashboard ,hows that for lucky :P
we live in Kent and thankfully where we are is quite a crime free area , apart from the odd shed break in.

[jo b]

-When I think of it -I am lucky really.

-I have left my car open umpteen times but left my handbag it too.

Thanksfully when some opportunists did check my car I remembered to bring my handbag in that day.

It is generally crime free here too. :hopeso

God I hope I haven't spoke too soon.

Sorry about your car Rimbo.

I can get you some copies of Take That and Spice girls for your cd collection if you like :mrgreen:

Jo

[Diny]

Jo

Relatively crime free area??

Surely playing Take That and the Spice Girls is a crime. :laugh

Diny

[jo b]

I'll tell you what I want what I really really want.

I wanna Ah, I wanna Ah, I wanna Ah, I wanna Ah, I wanna really really really wanna a zigga zig Ah


Oh the lyrics just so meaningful :laugh :nice1

Jo

[Annierobrigado]

I'll tell you what I want what I really really want.

I wanna Ah, I wanna Ah, I wanna Ah, I wanna Ah, I wanna really really really wanna a zigga zig Ah


Oh the lyrics just so meaningful :laugh :nice1

Jo

and they have been role models for thousands of british girls and others the world over. hasn't one married a lord something, or someone from your parliament? i hear geri halliwell is doing great solo. :laugh :mrgreen:

i'll take ronan keating anytime, thanks

annie ;)

[Nicola]

[and they have been role models for thousands of british girls and others the world over. hasn't one married a lord something, or someone from your parliament?



Did you mean Lord David Beckham by any chance Annie :eek :laugh

Nicola

[Annierobrigado]

hi nicola,

honestly i don't know, maybe it was lord beckham. i just remember reading that one of the spice girls married a nobleman. actually i havent followed the spice girls even when they were a hit, so their songs may be just danceable tunes (no points for depth or having an intellectual impact, haha).

i prefer barry manilow :mrgreen: :P :cool

annie

[chuchi]

is david beckham a nobleman? or is he just regarded as one because of his soccer/football skills?

[Moorf]

He got Knighted or something didn't he.. became a Lord... just another excuse to run screaming from the UK :laugh

[Diny]

Good God No !!!!!!!!!!!!!

I don't think even the dumbest of people would agree to that (but there again .......).

I think it was the OBE he got - which is scary enough.

Diny

[Moorf]

Almost glad I got that wrong :laugh shows how little I know about the Beckham royal family :P

[Diny]

Always makes me laugh how that idiot he married got the name 'posh' spice.

Maybe: can't sing to save my life spice, got a nose like a broken skijump spice, pull my mouth into an ugly pout and point at you spice, have boob implants but deny it spice, can't do any work 'cos I've got these stupid nail extentions spice .......... but POSH spice .......... nahhhh.

Meowwwwwww.

Diny

[Moorf]

What is it with us Diny - we managed to get to Dogs from Negative Posts and now Posh Spice from Locking Doors! :laugh :laugh

Perhaps you too keep a full wine rack? :mrgreen:

[Diny]

Funny that eh?

Just can't seem to stop shooting off at tangents. Anyway - did I tell you about the horse down our lane ..............................

Diny

[Moorf]

...oh so we're back to Posh Spice then...

Yes, I know, I should be in bed...!