1. I agree that the general idea of "making your home unattractive" goes a long way towards a solution. Most criminals seem to be pretty lazy - and don't feel like carrying heavy gear over high fences :-)

2. One suggestion - just improvise a loud alarm system that is triggered by a handhald (radio) button. If you think you've got intruders - hit the alarm. If the alarm is battery powered then it still functions even if they have cut the power to the house. Look at it from their point of view - would you really stick around once a loud arlam went off? It would be a big risk, because for all you know the police may already be responding. Chances are that they will bail out quickly. And if they don't - you can move to a well-prepared standoff location and defend yourself from there. It's better for you to choose your "fortress", rather then trying to take them down on the fly.

Pete2