A Burglars advice

The victims of burglar Terence Greenwood were shocked enough to find their homes ransacked. They were even more astonished when they received letters from the thief offering them security advice.

But following his arrest for stealing £34,000 worth of jewellery, career criminal Greenwood wrote to the victims with tips on how to prevent future burglaries. Greenwood, 33, urged 10 householders to contact a local firm of alarm fitters whose systems he had been unable to crack.

In his letters he also advised against leaving keys in obvious places.
He told his victims: "I wouldn't want what has happened to happen to you again because you don't deserve what happened to you.

"Could I please say the best way to protect your home is by having a good alarm by KHG and use window locks of some strength."
He advised his victims: "When you go out always leave a radio on loud. This makes the burglary much harder.

"I've no more paper to tell you more, but I have told the police all I know. So please do not worry each time you go out. A good alarm will keep your home safe. Please forgive me for what I have done to you."

The 33-year-old, from Greater Manchester, also warned that the risk increases in hot weather, with 40 per cent of burglaries taking place in the summer, and 80 per cent of these because people have left doors or windows open.

His advice did not cut much ice with the judge who sentenced him to two-and-a-half years in prison.

Nathan Brooks, 31, a director of KHG Security, in Knutsford, said yesterday: "One lady who was robbed by this man did in fact call us later to fit an alarm.

"She mentioned she had received a note from this burglar who had recommended our company and I had to take great pains to assure her he had nothing to do with KHG.

"We get the bulk of our business from personal recommendations, although I have never known a villain to put in a good word for us."