Melville neighbourhood watch co-ordinator and chief superintendent Filson Beckett called for new and renovated homes to be required to include basic security measures such as deadlocks on doors and locks on windows.

Beckett argued that governments already imposed building and health regulations intended to protect people from injury and disease, but did not require similar measures to protect residents from crime in their own homes.

He said the issue was becoming increasingly important as more people became conscious of rising criminal activity. His suggested measures included installing a peephole in the front door, fitting an outside light so visitors could be seen at night, and using a security screen door rather than opening the main door to strangers.

The article also discussed problems surrounding dogs kept for home security. Beckett warned that residents could potentially face court action if a dog escaped from a yard and bit someone, while properties with front yards but no backyard could leave owners unable to keep a dog somewhere it could protect the home without posing a risk to visitors.