Close call - Need advice for break in prevention..

[ten[A]cio[U]s]

Hi all,

Bit of a back story..

There has been a hell of a lot of break ins over the past few weeks where I live. It isn't known as a bad area, but there have been a bunch of young kids going wild!

They caught a 13 and a 14 year old with a special set of keys for breaking into cars, and a bag a choccies they stole from a daycare center..

My mate also had his wallet taken not long ago while he was sleeping.

They go all methods. Break windows, pick locks, pry open doors apparently..

I went out the back to feed my pup and saw a putting golf club in her bed. Its not mine, and its not my house-mates (both hate golf). We were guessing it might have been used/going to be used to smash a window and break in but the dog scared/stopped them..

I am really worried now as this is my first home and I really don't want to have to worry constantly about getting broken into..

I have done my best to keep the place safe but what other cheap and effective methods can be done to secure your home.

I am going to buy a new deadbolt for the front door, and a heap of wooden dowel to stick in the screen door and window runners.

All windows have locks already but as an extra protection.

I am also going to talk to a mate about getting a motion detection alarm installed, and talk about other options.

I really want to prevent getting robbed before it happens..

Any idea/experience is welcome.

Thanks,
Matthew