And figures published recently show their fears are not unfounded, as the Home Office reports a four per cent increase in domestic burglary between October – December 2008 compared with the same period in 2007. Despite this, many are still failing to take steps to protect their valuables properly, says Halifax Home Insurance.
Recent research for the home insurer shows one in seven (14 per cent) UK householders say they now feel at greater threat from burglary than ever before. The survey conducted for Halifax Home Insurance also revealed that nearly a quarter (24 per cent) had been a victim of burglary at some time in their lives. Despite this, one in five people (20 per cent) admit they never think about keeping valuable items around the home away from windows and out of sight of would-be burglars. Almost a quarter (22 per cent) of those surveyed also said they don’t bother to keep windows and doors locked when they are in the home, and one in six (17 per cent) people have not taken out any home contents insurance.
Many are also unsure of the value of the contents visible through their front room windows, with over 52 per cent giving a very conservative estimate of less than �5,000 and 15 per cent admitting they have absolutely no idea about the value of their home contents on display.
Over the past five years, Halifax Home Insurance has received over 44,000 claims for burglary totalling more than �82 million to replace stolen items and repair damaged homes. According to Halifax claims data, 29 per cent of burglary claims last year were for unforced burglary. Many of these would have been through open or unlocked windows and doors. Halifax warns householders that they are making it too easy for opportunist thieves to get their hands on small items of value such as handbags, car keys, MP3 players and mobile phones.
Senior claims manager Martyn Foulds said: “It is surprising to see that so many people are effectively advertising their valuables to thieves by leaving them visible through windows, and the fact that many are leaving windows and doors unlocked means it can be all too tempting for burglars to reach in and grab whatever they can. We’d recommend householders take a few moments before they leave the house, and before going to bed, to make sure valuables are out of sight.”
Halifax Home Insurance offers the following tips to help householders make life harder for opportunistic thieves:
Keep valuables out of sight
Mark your property with an ultra violet pen to help police trace it if it is stolen
Keeping receipts of valuables can help in the even of a claim
Consider installing a safe for small valuables such as jewellery, watches and credit cards
Have any expensive items of jewellery valued by a reputable jewellery every three years
Fit visible, key operated window and door locks and keep them locked, particularly on the ground floor of properties.
Don’t leave keys hidden outside as most burglars know where to look
Install a burglar alarm in a prominent place and always set it at night and when leaving the property empty.
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