As winter comes, we know that longer hours of darkness give cover to burglars. Besides, according to an insurer, we should be on our guard while at home, as statistics show burglaries occur most often whilst people are at their properties.
Most, some 64 per cent of burglaries in England and Wales occurred while residents were at home, according to UK official ONS data for the period of April 2019 to March 2020. The proportion of burglaries happening while someone is at the residence has crept up over the last decade, from 57 per cent, ten years ago.
Aviva data from the last two years reveals home theft claims increased by 15pc during October and November, compared to the monthly average during 2018-2019. A new study by the insurance firm shows that a quarter of UK people (26pc) don’t lock their doors when they are at home.
ONS statistics suggest that in the year to March 2020, 76pc of domestic burglaries in England and Wales were accessed through a door, and in 24pc of cases where entry was gained, the door was unlocked. That insurance company’s research finds that people who have experienced a burglary first-hand are less likely to lock their doors when at home, than those who haven’t. One in five (20pc) who haven’t been burgled don’t lock their doors while at home, yet 37pc of people who have been burgled are willing to take the risk, alongside 32pc who have experienced an attempted burglary.
As for windows, the ONS figures show in the year to March 2020, one in five residential burglaries (20pc) were accessed through windows. But the Aviva study finds 45pc of UK residents leave windows unlocked in unoccupied rooms, when they are at home.
Sarah Applegate, Insight and Strategy Lead, Global General Insurance, Aviva says: “We tend to imagine that burglaries happen when everyone is out, but the unfortunate reality is they can take place at any time, whether we’re home or not. Most burglaries are opportunistic, so if a door or window is left unlocked, someone can be in and out of a house in just a few seconds. And if we’re at home but on another floor or in another room, we may not even be aware of an intruder, until it’s too late.
“Our claims data shows that thefts tend to increase during autumn and winter months, so it’s really not worth taking a chance. Simple tasks like locking doors and windows on both homes and outbuildings can significantly reduce the risk of being burgled. We’d urge everyone to get into the habit of locking up, even when at home.”
Security tips for residents while at home:
– Create a room without a view: Don’t leave valuable items on show near windows. Shut curtains or blinds in the evening – or even during the day if you’re not in the room.
– Leaving a light on can help to deter burglars and 34pc of UK residents do this even while they are at home. If you’re heading to bed early, consider leaving an energy-efficient light on downstairs, or put a lamp on a timer switch so it appears that someone is still awake.
– Lock doors and windows while you are at home. It may seem obvious, but 24pc of people don’t lock doors while at home and 45pc leave windows unlocked in unoccupied rooms, which could allow easy access for criminals.
– And lock sheds, garages and outbuildings, particularly if they’re not attached to your property as you may not hear or see intruders.
– More people working from home is likely to mean more laptops and smart phones on the premises. When you’re not using your tech devices, put them away out of sight, in a place which isn’t easily accessible.
– Be careful when answering your door. According to latest ONS crime figures, in 7pc of cases where a burglar entered a dwelling, they pushed past an occupant to access the property. If you’re unsure about opening your door, trust your instincts.
– Fit a spy-hole, safety chain or video doorbell. These can help you to see who’s at your door, without allowing them easy access to your home.
– Be vigilant about who’s coming and going. Lockdown restrictions have meant more deliveries for many, but keep a watch on who’s visiting your home and report any suspicious activity to the police.
– Look out for your neighbours. If lockdown restrictions mean you can’t visit other houses make use of technology to check they’re okay, particularly if they’re elderly or vulnerable. Give them a phone call or make use of social messaging groups, or texts.
– A dog can be a good deterrent to burglars – and if you don’t have a hound at your home, a simple ‘beware of the dog’ sign can be off-putting to would-be thieves.
About the survey; Aviva’s online poll of 2,002 UK adults from across the UK was carried out by Censuswide Research, on September 28 to 30.
Picture by Mark Rowe; Tudor wooden door, Brougham Castle, near Penrith, Cumbria.
