As darker evenings provide great cover for opportunistic thieves, Halifax Home Insurance recommends making life more difficult for would-be burglars to avoid becoming a victim. Recent research into crime fighting in England and Wales conducted by the Local Government Authority has shown 50 per cent of respondents believe burglary has increased since the recession began. In house claims data backs up this view, as last year Halifax handled over 8000 burglary claims, an increase of 8.5 per cent on the previous year.
Senior claims manager Martyn Foulds says; “Most burglars are looking for an easy target, and the cover of darkness makes life simpler for them. It is not only the financial loss that we want to protect people from, but also the distress caused by knowing a stranger invaded the home. The good news is that with a few simple and cost effective measures, homeowners can greatly reduce the risk of becoming a victim.”
In July, the British Crime Survey revealed the first rise in domestic burglary for six years. Halifax Home Insurance offers the following top ten tips to help householders make their property a less attractive option.
Keep doors and windows locked, even when in the home. Windows that can still allow some ventilation when locked may be a good option
Security lights can alert you to people approaching the house, and gravel driveways make it possible to hear them coming too
Have a British standard approved burglar alarm installed, and always set it when leaving the home unoccupied and also at night. One which has a direct link to the Police is a good idea
A dog barking can deter a burglar, and even seeing a sign saying ‘beware of the dog’ will make many think twice about attempting a break in
High walls, spiky railings and prickly bushes around a property can make it more difficult to break in, and also harder to get away if burglars are disturbed
Keep tools and ladders that can be used to break in to the home locked away
Join your local Neighbourhood Watch group, and if one doesn’t exist in your area, why not start one yourself?
When going on holiday, timer switches on lights can make it less obvious that the house is empty. Also, consider asking a friendly neighbour to check in on the home and collect any mail, as piles of letters can be a clue that there is nobody around. A neighbour parking on your driveway from time to time also helps to create the illusion that someone is home.
Marking your property with a UV pen or etching your postcode on metal items such as bikes and tools means that if it is stolen, there is a greater chance of it being recovered by Police
Make sure your home buildings and contents insurance is up to date and includes the right level of cover for your needs.
Don’t ever leave keys hidden under door mats, in flower pots or in other ‘safe’ places – burglars know where to look.
If you are unlucky enough to be burgled, report it to the Police as soon as possible, and obtain an incident number. Contact your home insurer, quoting the Police incident number and giving as much detail as possible about what was taken and also any damage caused to property. If the home has been left unsecured after a break in, make sure both the Police and insurance company are aware of this.
According to Halifax Home Insurance claims data, the top ten hotspots for burglary last year were:
London
2. Manchester
3. Leeds
4. Enfield and Barnett
5. Grimsby
6. Harrow, Uxbridge and Wembley
7. Bromley and Bexley
8. Bradford
9. Bristol
10. Solihull and South East Birmingham
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