Less than a third (29%) of UK households either have or use a burglar alarm, with two thirds (67%) not having external sensor lights fitted and nearl
y half (48%) without extra locks or deadbolts on their door.
This data has been revealed by phone and contents insurance provider SO-SURE, ahead of the Christmas period when the risk of burglary is higher. The research, which looked into the highest risk places in the UK for burglary, as well as the amount of money due to be spent on new items that will be left in the home and can be a target for thieves, found that Brits are set to spend £25.6 billion this year compared to £24.2 billion in 2020.
ONS data found that 76% of burglars entered through the front door, with one-in-five (20%) using a window for access. Despite this, there’s a glaring disparity between the methods of entry and security utilised by homeowners, proven by the fact that 15% of burglars actually accessed a property through a door that has been left unlocked.
The same ONS Crime Survey also showed that money, including wallets, credit cards and purses, (40%) was the most stolen item, followed by jewellery and watches (32.5%) and computers (23.4%). With Christmas spending expected to increase this year, these items are much more likely to be kept in the home and on show underneath Christmas trees.
Early signs suggest that the average spend per person on Christmas gifts will go up by 15%, with the average person spending £548, up from £476 spent in 2020. Of this, an average of £50.92 is spent on desirable electronic items and £44.07 on toys.
The research also uncovered the highest risk areas in the UK when it comes to burglary, the top five are as follows:
1. Westminster – 11.57 for every 1,000 people
2. Middlesbrough – 10.07 for every 1,000 people
3. Hackney – 9.07 for every 1,000 people
4. Islington – 8.72 for every 1,000 people
5. Camden – 8.34 for every 1,000 people
These areas all come above the national average of 7.59 burglaries per 1,000 population.
Mayor’s Office for Policing And Crime Team commented on the findings “Both the Mayor and the Met Commissioner recognise that burglary has been on the rise across London after the easing of the COVID restrictions and in last two years, the Mayor has committed £85 million of new funding to go towards tackling violent crime and burglary in the capital”.
“This has allowed more resources to be invested in the police response to burglary, in addition, local police will continue to focus on work to prevent burglary and target those responsible. The increased funding will also support more proactive policing to both prevent and detect burglary”.
Gabriel Cabral, Senior Marketing Manager from SO-SURE, commented on the findings:
“We know Christmas can be a time where the risk of burglary increases considerably. Our research helps to highlight the dangers and the steps that people can take to protect themselves from home break-ins.
“With a family of four potentially keeping up to £2,192 of gifts under their tree and the average cost of a burglary up to £3,030, it’s important to be aware of how to protect your home from thieves breaking in and ensure you have the home contents cover required to cover you if you do fall victim to residential burglary”.
SO-SURE have put together some top tips to help avoid burglary which can be found here: https://wearesosure.com/blog/christmas-home-security-so-sure/