We ask a former burglar: do smart security cameras really deter crime?

Turns out, home security cameras are pretty effective

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Smart home security devices are a great tool for protecting your property when you’re not around. More affordable than traditional CCTV systems, they can be self-installed and ensure you can view a live feed from the camera through your smartphone even when you’re not at home.

It’s clear consumers really do believe thebest home security camerasand thebest video doorbellsare an essential tool when it comes to deterring burglars - one in five US homes has a home security camera installed, according to security siteSafety.com’srecent home protection survey.

But can these cameras really stop you getting burgled? We spoke to a former thief to find out his take on whether self-installed cameras really do mean a burglar is less likely to target your home.If you’re certain you want to get your hands on the best home security cameras now, rather than read on for a burglar’s opinion, then check out these great deals for some of the best on the market.

So, do home security cameras deter burglars?

As far as Luke Harris, a former burglar-turned-security-consultant at smart alarm firmBoundary, is concerned, home security cameras really do make thieves think twice before breaking into your property.

“In a burglar’s mind, when they are scoping out a property, they want to be in and out as quickly as they can, with as little chance of getting caught as possible. This means that any visual or physical deterrent – whether it be outdoor lighting, a security camera, or a visible alarm – can put them off,” Harris told TechRadar.

Harris was just 12 years old when he started breaking into his neighbors’ houses to steal cigarettes. Having been kicked out the family home at 15, his descent into criminal activity continued, as he regularly committed burglaries, until at 26 he decided he had had enough

He took a job as a kitchen porter and worked his way up to chef, but when the pandemic struck, he lost his job. In September 2020, Harris saw a plea from Boundry for a reformed burglar to act as a security consultant and stress test the firm’s new security systems. He decided to use his misdemeanors to his advantage and beat around 50 other applicants to the role.

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“Spotting a security camera is likely to stop a burglar in their tracks, as they not only know that the property is well protected, but also that there is a chance that their face is being recorded and passed on to the police,” Harris added.

It seems obvious, but this means clearly visible outdoor home security cameras installed on the exterior of your home will offer greater deterrent than those located inside your home.

Many security cameras, such as those from Arlo, Ring and Eufy, are powered by a rechargeable battery, which means you have more flexibility on where they can be mounted, so it’s important to ensure they are in a location that is immediately obvious to anyone approaching the property.

Some home security cameras such as theArlo Pro 4or theRing Spotlight Camhave swappable batteries. So, provided you purchase an additional battery, you’ll be able to get the camera back online in seconds when the battery dies, rather than leaving it out of action for hours while the built-in battery recharges.

So what about indoor home security cameras? As far as Harris is concerned, just like outdoor home security cameras, if you’re going to use them they need to be as visible as possible.

“No burglar likes being caught on camera, so breaking into a house and seeing one would be enough to at least make them think twice,” he said.

However, he adds that smart security devices such as motion sensors that trigger loud alarms “are more likely to stop a burglar in their tracks. If you have a limited budget when it comes to smart security, it’s clear it’s better to focus on exterior home security cameras, and smart alarm components.

Do I really need a subscription for a home security camera?

As Harris points out, home security cameras offer the chance to pass footage of the perpetrator onto the Police should something happen. However, many require a subscription to ensure you can review the video recorded at a later date, and download the clips so they can be shared with law enforcement. We’d highly recommend signing-up to one of these subscriptions so if the worst happens, you can share the footage with those necessary.

There are some home security cameras such as theEufy SoloCam E40, Blink’s range of home security cameras, and theSwann Spotlight Outdoor Security Camera, come with the ability to store footage locally or in the cloud without the need for a subscription.

Others, such as theArlo UltraandArlo Ultra 2, offer the option of local storage through a micro SD card inserted into the base station that connects the cameras to the internet.  However, it’s worth noting that video clips stored this way can’t be played back through the app - instead, the micro SD card must be inserted into a computer to review the stored footage.

Shine a light on intruders

Harris believes the things that put people off the most when breaking and entering are “sudden actions or noises that suggest they have been caught out”

“…that can be a light coming on, an alarm going off, or even a security camera being noticed,” added Harris.

With this in mind, consider a home security camera with a built-in light that can illuminate automatically when motion is detected, such as theArlo Pro 3 floodlight, as well as the Ring Floodlight Cam and the newGoogle Nest Cam Floodlight- both of which are mains-powered and will requires professional installation if you don’t have the right skills and qualifications.

Harris concludes by saying that while these are a good choice, they will only offer so much protection:

“I would say that a security camera shouldn’t be youronlyline of defense; in order to keep burglars out fully you will want an integrated smart alarm system, ideally with an automated police response as well, just to be sure.”

Five top tips to deter burglars

As far as Harris is concerned, you don’t have to rely on smart home devices to deter burglars, there are some very simple steps you can take to help dismayed thieves from attempting to break into your home.

Carrie-Ann Skinner was formerly Homes Editor at TechRadar, and has more than two decades of experience in both online and print journalism, with 13 years of that spent covering all-things tech. Carrie specializes in smart home devices such as smart plugs and smart lights, as well as large and small appliances including vacuum cleaners, air fryers, stand mixers, and coffee machines. Carrie is now a copy editor at PWC.

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