With the help of search engine mapping features (i.e., Google StreetView or Bing Maps Streetside) and social media (incl. Facebook, Twitter & Foursquare), burglars are planning to find their best targets

Based on a small sample of 50 ex-burglars, a Britain’s security firm Friedland found modern burglars planed their targets by using search engines mapping features such as Google StreetView or Bing Maps Streetside.  The report with a title "UK Home Security Week 2011" was published by Friedland and later reported by Britain’s Sky News this week.

The findings show that 78% of the 50 ex-burglars have utilized social media including Facebook, Twitter and Foursquare to plan their targets (for example, checking location and status updates).  While 74% of the samples noted that search engines mapping features such as Google Street View or Bing Maps Streetside was being used to plot their best targets. 

Images: (top) Friedland logo; (left) Bing Maps Streetside logo; (right) Google Maps Street View logo