Secure homes: Burglary rates continue to rise across the UK

With Christmas just a few weeks away, a leading insurer is warning homeowners of a potential surge in burglaries – and says many may be too complacent about such crime.

Burglary rates continue to rise across the UK, with 74 per cent of police forces having reported a rise in thefts over the last three months.

An estimated 65,000 burglaries were recorded between July and September 2021 – an average of 712 every day, according to the latest Burglary Barometer from Churchill Home Insurance. 

But it said that despite an overall rise in thefts, Britons are less concerned about burglary than they were three months ago. 

The increased burglaries represented a 6 per cent increase on the previous three months – and it is likely to rise again ahead of Christmas as shoppers fill their homes with valuable presents. 

The City of London Police saw the biggest increase at 115 per cent, though this figure can easily be skewed by the Square Mile’s small population. 

It was followed by Cleveland and Suffolk, which saw rises of 33 and 30 per cent respectively. 

This is the second successive quarter in which burglary rates have risen, following a period of low figures during the coronavirus lockdowns when burglars were deterred by the high number of people spending more time at home.

Lincolnshire and Norfolk have seen the biggest declines in thefts, with burglaries down 20 per cent when compared to the last three months. 

This was followed by Staffordshire Police at 10 per cent. 

Despite an overall rise in thefts, Britons are less concerned about burglary than they were three months ago. 

Based on its research, Churchill suggested that almost half the population currently have no concerns about being burgled.

This is an 18 per cent increase from earlier this year, when that figure was less than 40 per cent. 

Experts are warning this change in attitude, coupled with rising crime rates, could create a perfect storm just as burglary rates typically peak. 

Sarah Khan, http://anyerwisata.com head of Churchill home insurance, said: ‘While burglary rates have been creeping up throughout the year, as the UK returns to normal following the pandemic, our research suggests that Britons are not as concerned about being burgled as they once were.

‘We would advise anyone who feels that their home is at risk to take action ahead of the festive period, which historically has a higher rate of burglary as criminals target presents and unoccupied properties.’

The last three months of 2020 saw a 10 per cent rise in the number of burglaries reported, and a 23 per cent spike in the value of home insurance claims for stolen goods, compared to the previous three months.

This rising danger may not be surprising, as further research by the insurer revealed that Britons are planning on spending £15.7billion on Christmas presents this year.

As well as having the lure of a greater number of valuables to steal, burglars will also be looking to take advantage of people travelling to see loved ones. 

Some 37 per cent of UK adults have said that they will be travelling to see friends and family over this festive period.

Khan added: Aburatani.net ‘The festive season is a special time of year for millions of people, providing them with the opportunity to see friends and family, relax and take time off.

‘The combination of receiving presents and spending time away can lead to homes being at heightened risk of being targeted by burglars, http://ThePhotoSexpert.com but the good news is that many people will be able to avoid having a nightmare before Christmas by taking some basic precautions to ensure that their festive season is one to remember for all the right reasons.’

How to make your home safer 

Churchill has provided the following tips to help people make their homes as safe as possible against the threat of burglary this winter:

• Hide the presents: Churchill’s research reveals that 40 per cent of UK adults plan to store presents under the Christmas tree.

While this is a time-honoured tradition, it can also make homes look more appealing to burglars, so either delay putting presents out or consider positioning the tree away from any windows.

• Don’t use cars as storage: Vehicles can often be an easier target for criminals than homes, and with many Britons saying they will be storing presents in their cars, it may be wiser to keep them hidden indoors so that neither children nor burglars can find them.

• Lit up like a Christmas tree: Burglars thrive in dark, disinfo2018.com secluded areas where it is easier to gain access to a property without detection. Always ensure any such areas near your home are fitted with motion-sensing lights or CCTV so that there is nowhere for them to hide.

• Outside chance: Make sure you look after your Christmas decorations. A quarter of people say they’re planning to put up decorations outside their homes but research reveals that more than 12million people had external Christmas decorations either stolen or damaged by people lacking in festive spirit, amounting to a total loss of £1.6billion.

• Make it look like you’re home for Christmas: Before you go on holiday, cancel any papers or milk you might have delivered and install timers which switch lights or radios on automatically. This will make it harder for potential burglars to identify that a house is unoccupied.

• Prepare for the worst, hope for the best: Sometimes being the victim of a burglary can be attributed to nothing but bad luck. If the worst does happen, knowing that you have an up-to-date, comprehensive home insurance policy that will replace any items stolen or damaged in a burglary can help put your mind at rest.