CAUGHT IN THE ACT
Watch the moment ‘Ant & Dec’ stopped a burglar breaking into my home – they terrified the scumbag & left police laughing
The burglar scarpered as soon as he heard the Geordie pair's familiar voices
THEY can usually be found seeing off celebrities as they're voted out of the jungle.
But Ant and Dec unwittingly ended up seeing off a burglar in Newcastle recently, thanks to a video doorbell.
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To mark the start of the new series of I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! premiering in November, Ring doorbell owners were able to change the Quick Reply on their device to a message from the Geordie pair to greet visitors.
One homeowner had opted for the hilarious service, and couldn't believe her luck when she looked back at footage to discover that the message had foiled a burglar's attempt to break in.
She then to share footage of the moment, with the clip starting as the burglar - wearing a balaclava - approached the front of the house.
He appeared to be attempting to remove the video doorbell in a bid to prevent any identification of himself.
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But as he tried to get it off the wall, he accidentally set it off instead, causing Ant and Dec's message to be played.
"Hello, Ant and Dec here!" Ant loudly exclaimed, before Dec chimed in: "Coming up, someone WILL open this door".
As soon as the message started playing, the startled burglar made a run for it.
The presenters could still be heard dishing out their greeting as the scene unfolded, with Dec saying: "The question is, who's it going to be?"
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"Oooh, stay right where you are to find out," Ant concluded.
But the man hadn't stuck around to hear the rest of the message, as the footage showed him dashing to a getaway car, which then drove off at speed.
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Sharing the footage on TikTok, the woman wrote over the top: "Thanks Ant - saved us from burglars!"
"Police will love this," one person commented on the video.
"The police laughed when I showed it to them!" the woman replied.
"Lucky they didn't have gloves on so we have got forensics."
"Why would you try to rob a Ring doorbell?" another asked.
"Lucky I nailed it into the wall!" she said.
How to protect your home from burglars
- Install a home security system:
- Consider alarms, CCTV cameras, and smart doorbells.
- Choose systems that allow remote monitoring via smartphone.
- Secure doors and windows:
- Ensure all doors and windows have robust locks.
- Use deadbolts and window locks for added security.
- Consider installing a peephole or door chain.
- Improve outdoor lighting:
- Install motion-sensor lights around your property.
- Ensure pathways, driveways, and entrances are well-lit.
- Maintain your garden:
- Keep hedges and shrubs trimmed to eliminate hiding spots.
- Store tools and ladders securely to prevent their use in break-ins.
- Use timers for lights:
- Set timers to turn lights on and off to give the impression someone is home.
- Consider using smart plugs to control appliances remotely.
- Secure garages and sheds:
- Ensure these areas are locked with strong padlocks.
- Store valuable items out of sight.
- Get to know your neighbours:
- Join or form a neighbourhood watch scheme.
- Encourage neighbours to keep an eye on each other's properties.
- Be cautious with social media:
- Avoid posting holiday plans or location updates online.
- Ensure privacy settings are secure to limit who can see your posts.
- Mark valuables with a UV pen:
- Use a UV pen to mark valuables with your postcode and house number.
- Register items with a property database for easier recovery if stolen.
- Consider installing a safe:
- Use a safe to store important documents and valuable items.
- Ensure the safe is securely bolted to the floor or wall.
- Review your home insurance:
- Check that your home insurance policy is up to date.
- Ensure it covers the value of your possessions.
- Conduct regular security checks:
- Periodically review and update your home security measures.
- Ensure all systems and locks are in good working order.
"The low iq of trying to take it off a wall that's been screwed in, and then screwed into its mount," a third commented.
"Surely spray paint would have been better but they're not that smart."
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"Someone robbed my mum's cheap doorbell of her door, took the batteries out and chucked the doorbell on the floor down the road," someone else revealed.
"I need Ant and Dec’s reaction to this, but so glad you and your home are okay!" another commented.
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