The concept for "Beat The Burglar" is that an ex-burglar (Mike Fraser) attempts to break into the houses of volunteers to put their home security (or lack of it) to the test. Then they look over the devastation caused by a burglary and make improvements to reduce the risk of it happening for real. Unfortunately most of the willing participants are of the type that think that putting the front door key under the mat or nearby flowerpot is highly original and safe, so that frequently it only takes the "burglar" seconds to make his entry before trashing the place looking for valuables.
The programme may help to shock some viewers into doing something about their security and so there is a beneficial side, as the participants often get extremely emotional as they watch on TV even though they know that it isn't for real. Coming back to a burgled house is a traumatic experience and any reduction in incidence is all to the good. The experiment is interesting as the 'victims' are often perplexed by the fact that the burglar would search the children's rooms, as though they somehow have a conscience about what do.
Sadly the show is extremely repetitive with very little difference between episodes. It would work in a one-off special type scenario, but fails badly in a series format as the method of entry and advice given is virtually the same every episode so that there is no incentive to watch more than one. Most of the advice is extremely obvious and commonsense in any case such as fitting burglar alarms, deadbolts to the doors, proper locks on the windows and gates etc. though it is dispensed like real pearls of wisdom. In some cases the measures/devices are already in place, but the owners are too lazy to use them thinking that it will never happen to them.
Watch one episodes if you are concerned about your home security. You will then have seen all you need to.
The programme may help to shock some viewers into doing something about their security and so there is a beneficial side, as the participants often get extremely emotional as they watch on TV even though they know that it isn't for real. Coming back to a burgled house is a traumatic experience and any reduction in incidence is all to the good. The experiment is interesting as the 'victims' are often perplexed by the fact that the burglar would search the children's rooms, as though they somehow have a conscience about what do.
Sadly the show is extremely repetitive with very little difference between episodes. It would work in a one-off special type scenario, but fails badly in a series format as the method of entry and advice given is virtually the same every episode so that there is no incentive to watch more than one. Most of the advice is extremely obvious and commonsense in any case such as fitting burglar alarms, deadbolts to the doors, proper locks on the windows and gates etc. though it is dispensed like real pearls of wisdom. In some cases the measures/devices are already in place, but the owners are too lazy to use them thinking that it will never happen to them.
Watch one episodes if you are concerned about your home security. You will then have seen all you need to.