Ultra Secure Direct have witnessed a substantial increase lately in theft from Aviaries, with more & more customers calling us needing to find suitable Security due to recent thefts of Birds from themselves or friends.
All types of Birds are being stolen from Budgies selling from a few pounds to over £100, African Grey Parrots which can be sold for hundreds (if not more) up to all types of Birds of Prey which can reach thousands of pounds on the black market.
Bird Theft from Aviaries
Listed below are a few recent articles which show the extent of the problem:
Birds Magazine (click here for 2014 news on recent thefts)
The Telegraph (click here)
Birdtheft.org (click here)
Security for your Aviary
A Few Facts taken from talking to our customers & reading about recent thefts:
- It appears there are organised gangs operating in various regions, often travelling from one area to another after a certain period of activity to avoid being caught.
- It appears that a lot of Birds are actually being stolen to order, but even when not the thief’s are finding easy routes to the black market.
- It it thought that some gangs are actually using some types of spray to keep the Birds quite during the theft.
- Most Aviaries are soft targets, easy to reach, low or no protection, and many have easy escape routes should they be disturbed.
Overriding Factors:
Ultra Secure Direct are not experts on Birds, but we are very experienced in seeing definite trends in Crime & Theft going back many years now, having witnessed massive increases in Rural Crime, Metal & Lead Theft, Shed & Garage Theft etc over the last ten years.
The overriding theme always has the following common dominator’s:
- Limited Alarms or Perimeter Security (time & money has been spent on the house security).
- Remote Locations (easy to work uninterrupted & not overlooked).
- Easy escape routes (a thief likes the thought of having one or more escape routes if they are disturbed).
- Low Risk with a High or Easy Reward (see risk & reward article from Ultra Secure Direct).
- Easy to Sell.
- Stolen goods not easy to trace.
- Low fines if they do actually get caught one day.
What Can We Do About It ?
There is very rarely one easy solutions to your Security problems, it is normally better & more affordable to carry out a few simple tasks & perhaps deploying one or two Security devices, some general advice to help you with your Aviary Security is listed below:
- Make the Aviary harder to reach (fit gates, locks).
- Make them less comfortable to stand next to whilst attempting to break in (using solar or mains powered lighting, making them as visible as possible from the house, keep your Trees & Shrubbery cut back).
- Ensure easy escape routes are blocked off where possible.
Basic Garden Security Precautions
Top 3 Most Popular Aviary Security Devices from Ultra Secure Direct:
- Silent GSM Alarms are some of the most popular choices by our customers for Security to their Aviary, normally using one or more wireless door or window contacts which will activate should a door or window be forced open, in the event of an activation the alarm will contact key-holders by text message or telephone (no Siren to disturb the Birds or Intruder). Most systems require a power supply in the Aviary or inside a nearby building (sometimes this can even be inside the home should they be close to each other), but for locations with no power a battery solution can often be found. Listed below are two links to typical examples of a GSM Silent Alarm.
Example 1
Example 2 - Silent Perimeter Alarms are a great way to detect Intruders before they even get close to gaining access to your Aviary, these can be located up to half a mile away from your home, and will notify you in the event of an Intruder being detected. There are different types of detectors to choose from, two typical choices in the links below:
Example 1
Example 2 - Audible Perimeter Alarms are the same as the Silent versions, but designed to make a loud noise which will notify the Intruder & Home Owner (ideal for when you want the Intruder to change their mind & make a quick exit, two examples shown in the links below:
Example 1
Example 2
Additional Security Product (a selection of additional security products that would enhance your Aviary Security:
- Wireless Alarms with Built in Auto-Dialers (when the Aviary is close to the house).
- Battery Powered Camera’s (these CCTV Cameras are powered by AA batteries, and will record video clips if the built in detector picks up any movement, the MMS versions will also send a picture to your mobile phone giving you exact verification to report it to the police).
- Locks & Chains (it goes without saying, that good chains & locks should be used on the entrances, these can even be the new styled alarm locks which have built in Sirens which may deter some thieves).
- Security Signs ( a very cheap & easy option is to fit some Security Warning Signs around the Aviaries, these will inform the potential Intruder that Security has been considered).
- Dummy CCTV Camera’s (one or more good quality Dummy CCTV Camera’s may also deter some opportunist thieves, especially if used together with some Security Signs).
Summary:
In short, you do not have to spend colossal amounts of money to fit adequate Security into & around your prized Aviary, click here to see a selection of products from Ultra Secure Direct suitable for these applications, or if you simply want some advice please contact us, click here to find our relevant contact details.
By Mark Walter Google