Home security checks
Making homes safe
Our operators carry out around 1,350 tasks each year and deal with a diverse range of situations, including comforting victims of distraction theft and burglary, assisting those subjected to domestic violence by partners or family, fitting key safes to give carers quicker access to homes of disabled people, installing door chains and viewers, where possible, to help empower the elderly against unwelcome callers and undertaking lock changes where necessary.
Burglaries (break-ins or distractions) in Wiltshire and Swindon, involving people over the age of 60, are referred to us by Wiltshire Police, whose officers are trained to recognise situations in which the we can help.
There is no charge for the service or equipment provided by us, except for external key safes which are charged at £85 (inclusive of fitting).
Apply for a doorbell camera
Our Doorbell Camera Campaign, launched in spring 2025, is part of our continued commitment to support victims of burglary and domestic abuse.
We fit doorbell cameras free of charge in areas where parish council funding is available, working closely with local Neighbourhood Policing Teams to identify those most at risk.
The cameras, which are available to people over 60 or those over 18 with a registered disability, enable users to monitor and speak with visitors remotely via smartphones or tablets. They feature motion detection, night vision, and remote footage storage – offering peace of mind and helping to deter crime.
The charge for fitting and connecting a doorbell camera is at the low £95, which is payable on completion of the installation. We currently supply Ring products, which come with a Ring Protect 30-day trial; this means the video will be saved to the internet for 30 days.
If you wish to continue to save recordings ongoing will need to set up a subscription at a cost £4.99 per month via Ring. Please see the Ring website for more information.
Once fitted the warranty and ongoing support is provided by Ring and not by the Wiltshire Bobby Van Trust. If someone is downloading the app on your behalf to their phone, they must be present at the time of fitting and have the device with them.
Download this guide for all of the technical requirements needed for a doorbell fitting.
To request a doorbell camera email us at BobbyVan@wbvt.org or call 01225 256867.
Request a home visit
Domestic abuse
This now accounts for around a quarter of our referrals, and, in most cases, our operators are able to upgrade the security of a property to prevent access by sometimes violent and aggressive ex-partners. In extreme cases, with the cooperation and funding of local authorities operating the Sanctuary Project, a ‘safe room’ can be installed, in which, during an incident, a family can remain safe in until the police arrive.
Please note: that we only take referrals for these visits from official support agencies such as the police and Swindon Women’s Aid.
To enquire about a home security check please call 01225 256867, email us at BobbyVan@wbvt.org or use this form.