Ring Doorbell Theft: How to Keep Yours Safe in the UK

Imagine shelling out for a Ring doorbell, only to wake up and find it gone. Yep, it happens way more often than you might think, especially with the popularity of smart homes in the UK. Thieves know these devices are pricey and easy to snatch—unless you’re smart about how you set yours up.

Nobody wants to stress every time they hear a noise outside. The good news? There’s plenty you can do to lock down your Ring and make it way less tempting for opportunists. Proper installation and adding just a couple of small gadgets can turn your doorbell from an easy grab into a real headache for thieves.

It isn’t just about drilling it in and hoping for the best. The way you mount your Ring, and some of the lesser-known settings you tweak inside the app, can make a world of difference. You don’t need to be a DIY genius or spend loads of cash to boost your security, either.

• Why Do Thieves Target Ring Doorbells?
• Install It Like a Pro: Mounting Tips That Matter
• Add Extra Layers: Anti-Theft Accessories
• Let Tech Help: Using Features to Deter Thieves
• What to Do If Your Ring Gets Stolen
• Does Ring’s Theft Protection Have Your Back?

Why Do Thieves Target Ring Doorbells?

Your shiny new Ring doorbell does more than just watch deliveries. It stands out as an easy jackpot for quick-handed thieves. But why go after doorbells at all? The answer is simple: they’re valuable, visible, and surprisingly easy to grab if not installed right.

These smart gadgets can fetch up to £100 or more on resale sites. Because they just sit out in the open next to many front doors, they’re way easier to steal than, say, breaking into a house. Some folks think thieves only swipe packages, but the rise in smart doorbell thefts shows that tech is now just as attractive.

Here’s what makes them so tempting to grab:

• High resale value: They hold their worth and are easy to list online, sometimes even with cloud accounts still active.
• Fast to remove: A few screws, a sliding plate, and it’s off—whole thing can take less than 30 seconds if you’re careless with your setup.
• No alarm on removal: Only some newer models or setups have tamper alerts or sound an alarm if pulled.
• Visible branding: The Ring logo is easy to spot, so thieves know the brand and the market price instantly.

A 2024 UK home security report found that as smart doorbell sales went up, so did theft. Check out these recent numbers:

Bottom line: Thieves go for Ring doorbells because they’re literally right in front of them and quickly converted into cash. They know half of people don’t secure them properly, making their job even easier. If yours is barely attached or looks easy to reach, it’s even more attractive to someone looking for quick money.

Install It Like a Pro: Mounting Tips That Matter

If your Ring doorbell sticks out like a sore thumb, snatch-and-grab thieves will spot it in seconds. But with the right mounting tricks, you can make it a real pain to steal.

First up: location is everything. Don’t stick the doorbell at arm’s reach. If possible, mount it higher than eye level—about 1.4m (just over 4.5 feet) works in the UK. That’s high enough to make thieves work for it, but still gets a clear shot of faces. Usual UK door frames fit this, but if you’ve got a porch, use it for cover while still getting a good camera angle.

Next, use proper hardware. Seriously, skip the sticky pads if you can. Use all the screws supplied in the box—most models come with star-shaped "security” screws for the very last step. Don’t chuck the tool in a drawer; you’ll need it if you want to move your Ring doorbell theft later.

Here’s a quick table based on Ring’s own advice and customer reports:

A lot of UK houses have pebbledash, bricks, or even stone. If you’re mounting into rough or hollow wall, use proper wall anchors from the DIY shop. The cheap ones break fast. For wooden frames, longer screws are your friend—just make sure they don’t poke out the other side!

• Use all provided screws, and swap for anti-tamper heads if you can.
• Pick a spot that’s not totally exposed to the road—this helps keep your device off a thief’s radar.
• If your doorbell isn’t wired, check the battery life before mounting—you don’t want to take it down every few weeks.

Small touches make a big difference. Take a bit more time now, and you’ll save loads of hassle (and cash) later on.

Add Extra Layers: Anti-Theft Accessories

Just relying on the screws that come in the box makes your doorbell easy pickings. The good news? A few proper accessories can make a huge difference in securing your Ring doorbell theft problem. There are clever add-ons designed to make your smart doorbell way harder to steal.

Start with an anti-theft mount. These security mounts cost about £10-£20 and are made for different Ring models—some even come with their own security screws or lock covers. Fit one of these and a thief will need way more than a flathead to get your Ring off your wall.

If you've got a drill and a couple of extra minutes, replacing the standard screws with security screws is an easy win. These are special screws that need a unique bit to remove (sometimes called "tamper-proof" screws), so pocket thieves will have a tough time grabbing your device in a rush. You can buy a set of four for under £5 online.

There are even wire cages specifically made for Ring doorbells. They’re not exactly pretty, but they do add a physical barrier and show you mean business. If you live somewhere theft is a real threat, this is a small price for peace of mind.

• Anti-theft mounts: Clamp or lock around the Ring device, making removal tricky and time-consuming.
• Security screws: Easy swap for standard screws, protects against theft with special tools required to remove them.
• Protective cages: Metal cages that cover your Ring doorbell, acting as a clear deterrent.
• Video warning stickers: Stickers saying "24/7 Video Recording" might sound basic, but they get noticed.

Here’s how common these accessories are, based on a 2024 survey of UK Ring owners who faced a theft attempt at least once:

Stacking up a couple of these options (for example, an anti-theft mount with security screws) turns a quick job into a mission that thieves will usually walk away from. Not only does it protect your investment, but it also saves you hassle with insurance or police down the line.

Let Tech Help: Using Features to Deter Thieves

People usually think of high fences and tough locks, but your Ring isn’t helpless when it comes to tech tricks. Some features are built right in to scare off anyone eyeballing your doorbell, and others just need a quick tap in the app. These aren’t just flashy, either—they actually work.

• Live View and Real-Time Alerts: Your Ring uploads footage to the cloud the moment it senses motion, so even if a thief grabs it, you’ve usually got their face on record. Enable "Motion Alerts" and set your notifications to pop up instantly. Your phone can buzz even before someone gets close enough to touch your doorbell.
• Lights and Sounds: Most Ring doorbells have an LED ring that lights up and a speaker that can play pre-recorded audio. Try setting up quick responses like “Hi, can I help you?”—even short messages tend to freak people out if they’re up to no good. The sound proves someone’s watching, and that alone puts plenty of thieves off.
• Linked Device Actions: Got a smart light or alarm? Link your Ring so that if it catches movement, your porch lights turn on or an alarm goes off. This combo makes your home look lived-in and tough to target.
• Shared Users and Neighbours App: Give access to family or a trusted neighbour so more eyes can check in. If you spot someone snooping around, you can warn others through the Neighbours app, which gets the whole street watching out.
• Privacy Zones and Video Recording Control: Set up privacy zones in the app to avoid recording public spaces, keeping you legal and stopping unwanted complaints. But don’t turn off recording—make sure every approach to your door is covered. Regularly check your recordings and make sure your cloud storage is working.

Here’s a quick look at how these features stack up in making a Ring doorbell theft less likely:

It’s not just having the tools—it’s about turning them on and knowing how to get the most out of them. Next time you’re in the app, have a poke around the settings, and play with these features. It doesn’t take long, but it can save you hours of hassle down the line if someone tries to make off with your doorbell.

What to Do If Your Ring Gets Stolen

So your Ring doorbell has vanished. Not great, but don’t panic. Timing matters—acting fast gives you a better shot at getting it sorted. Here’s exactly what you need to do if you spot that empty patch where your doorbell used to be.

1. Report it to the police. Give them a full rundown, including the make and model, when you last saw it, and any video of the thief. Ask for a crime reference number—you’ll need this for Ring’s support.
2. Check your Ring app. Even if the device is out of sight, it might have captured video of the theft if it was connected when stolen. Download any clips right away; they’ll come in handy for police and insurance.
3. Contact Ring Support. Head to the official Ring website or use the app’s support section. Tell them your Ring doorbell theft situation. Give them the police report number and your registered email. Ring will walk you through the next steps—often they’ll replace a stolen unit for free, but you need proof like the police file.
4. Update your home insurance provider. Most contents insurance might cover stolen smart devices, especially if you have gadget cover. Give them your police report and any video evidence you’ve saved.
5. Let your neighbours know. Use your street WhatsApp group or local Facebook page to spread the word. If the thief hit your house, they might target others in the area.

Here’s a quick comparison of what you’ll need for the main steps:

Remember, Ring’s Theft Protection only applies if you report the theft within 15 days and provide the official police report. Once Ring verifies your info, they’ll usually ship a replacement within a few weeks. No, they won’t cover indirect damage or hassle, just the device itself.

Does Ring’s Theft Protection Have Your Back?

Alright, so let’s talk about the official safety net from Ring if your Ring doorbell theft nightmare becomes reality. Here’s the deal: Ring actually has a Theft Protection policy. If someone swipes your doorbell, they’ll replace the device free. But there are some hoops to jump through—this isn’t a no-questions-asked deal.

First off, to get a replacement you must file a police report within 48 hours of the theft. Then, you’ve got to send a copy of that report along with a detailed claim through the Ring website. Don’t toss your proof of purchase, either—they’ll want to see it. Ring checks this info and, once they approve, they’ll send you the same model (not an upgraded one).

This protection works only once per device. So if your replacement gets stolen, you’re out of luck the second time around. And, it doesn’t cover things like damage, loss, or if someone steals just a part of the doorbell, like the faceplate or battery pack.

If you’re curious about how often this happens, Ring doesn’t share UK-specific numbers, but in the US, there’s an estimated 1,000+ theft claims per month. It’s not rare. Here’s a quick breakdown of what Ring Theft Protection covers vs what it doesn’t:

Ring’s policy doesn’t extend to their accessories. So if you’ve amped up your doorbell with fancy mounts or wedges, those aren’t getting replaced if a thief grabs them too. Last thing: you still need to pay attention to what your home insurance covers. Some policies will include “smart home devices” for theft as standard, but not all. Double check with your provider—more protection is always better.