Home owners and businesses need to be increasingly vigilant against the threat of physical crime, besides cyber crime in the news, it is suggested.
A new survey by One Stop Fencing has found that a majority, 62 per cent, of people are more concerned about physical crime to themselves or their property, while 38pc of the poll admitted to being more worried about cybercrime.
The Office for National Statistics recently announced that physical crime had fallen by 8pc in England and Wales in 2015 compared to the previous year; that figure excludes cybercrime, which has been rising at pace. The fact that more than one in three people are now more worried about the threat posed by hackers than burglars speaks volumes for the times, the fencing firm says. However, home and business owners who have their premises vandalised by youths on Mischief Night – an old tradition that seems to have undergone a revival in recent years – may start to think differently. To make matters worse, it seems that there are now two designated Mischief Nights for people to contend with.
October 30 – In the US, the night before Halloween has traditionally been labelled Mischief Night, and this now appears to have caught on in the UK.
November 4 – The evening before Guy Fawkes Night has traditionally been viewed as the UK’s Mischief Night.
Unfortunately, many youngsters now embark on a week-long spree of petty vandalism, and things have been getting out of hand, with more serious crimes committed. In 2014, for example, Cleveland Police reported that they received an additional 750 calls for their services in the week leading up to ‘Mischief Night’.
Darren Griffiths, owner of One Stop Fencing, has urged business owners in particular to ensure their premises are safe and secure during the darker winter months. He said: “It’s unfortunate that this time of year lends itself to crime, but ensuring that you have appropriate safety precautions in place – whether it’s installing shutters on your windows, fitting a new alarm and floodlights, or erecting a fence around your property – pays dividends in the long run.
“Mischief Night may seem like innocuous fun to many, but to business owners who have to pay to replace broken windows and other damage to their property, it’s no laughing matter, and the cost can soon mount up.”
