I have been keeping bees for 6 years. This year I saw an email written by a member of the local BBKA that it is not possible for someone living in this area that keeps as many bees as me, and not known by the association.
Rather arrogant, but goes to show that it IS possible to keep a good number of bees and still stay under the radar. (without trying!)
Association meetings are published on the internet, and is not difficult finding names that are attached the association. Once you have a name, it is quite easy to work out their address.
'if' there is a meeting, and you know they are regulars, you know the dates when they will be out of the house in the evening, never mind not anywhere their bees.
Social networking has helped criminals considerably due to the current 'look at me' crazes posting photos of themselves and telling people what they are doing and where they are doing it, such as on Facebook and Twitter.
If I were a criminal (or am I?) would I really scour this forum to work out what security devices 'might' be used in an area covering several hundred square miles. If I were criminal, there are much easier ways of making a living.
'some' beekeepers give stonking clues to apiary's whereabouts on their facebook pages!