Locks and Security News: your weekly locks and security industry newsletter
17th April 2024 Issue no. 701

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Latest crime stats released and new research shows people leaving doors open for burglars

National crime statistics released today show an increase in domestic burglaries - many of us still don't lock our front door: new research.

Home Office statistics released last week highlight that domestic burglaries are up 14%[i]. Experts say that this could increase throughout the summer months as the weather starts to warm up and people venture into their gardens or leave their windows open. New research from Ageas Insurance shows that just under one in two adults (47%) don't lock their front door as a rule when they are at home. And that's when sneak-in crimes can happen. More than one in ten (13%) only ever lock their front door at bedtime.[ii]

Ageas also recently unveiled statistics highlighting that homes across the UK display on average £1223 of valuables such as TV's, other electronic goods, antiques and works of art that are clearly displayed for would-be burglars to see through home windows. Nearly one in five people (18%) said that as much as £2,000 or more worth of valuables could be seen by a passer-by looking through a window. One in three people (35%) said that valuables worth more than £1000 could be seen.ii

Mark Cliff, Managing Director of Ageas Insurance (formerly Fortis UK) said: 'It's often wrongly assumed that many household burglaries are committed while homes are empty. But canny burglars know that many people assume that by being at home, they themselves are a deterrent and so they take fewer precautions. But an unlocked front door or window can be an open invitation to a burglar while the occupier is distracted by spending time in the garden. With so few people routinely securing their home while they are there it's no wonder that so many thefts are committed without a forced entry. It's not about turning your home into a fortress but simply getting into the habit of locking doors and windows, regardless of the period of time the house or room is unattended.'

Roy Rudham, Chairman of UK Neighbourhood Watch Trust, which gets 15,000 visits to its website each day said: 'People should treat their homes like they treat their cars - don't leave valuables on show, lock the doors and make sure you are insured. If you were to lock your home how easy would it be for you to get in? If you can easily gain entry, then a burglar will be in a lot faster than you.'

Ageas has teamed up with The Neighbourhood Watch Trust to provide top tips to reducing the likelihood of becoming a target for burglars, downloadable at www.ageas.co.uk

Ageas (UK) Limited, 023 8031 3147, [email protected]

Ageas UK
Ageas House, Tollgate, Eastleigh, Hampshire, SO53 3YA
www.ageas-uk.co.uk

[i] Crime in England and Wales: Quarterly Update to December 2010; 20th April 2011, Based on British Crime Survey: 2
[ii] 2053 adults aged 18 and over were interviewed online by Populus between 4th and 6th March 2011

27th April 2011