UK Home Insurance News

Tuesday, April 26, 2005

 

Burglary fears rise as one in thirty UK homes burgled

The fear of home burglary is on the rise with close to 10 million Britons expecting to be burgled in 2005, according to new research from Direct Line Home Insurance.

The findings highlight that almost half of Britons (47 per cent) are concerned about encountering an intruder in the home, although 29 per cent are unaware of what action they can legally take to protect themselves should this happen. 45 per cent say they would use physical force if they encountered an intruder, including more than a quarter (27 per cent) of women.

And these concerns are not restricted to urbanites, as 43 per cent of Britons living in rural areas expressed concern that they may interrupt an intruder, compared to 40 per cent of inner city residents.

On a more positive note, the Direct Line survey also highlights that community spirit is alive and kicking - seven in ten vigilant Britons actively look out for their neighbours' homes, with half admitting they would investigate if they saw anything untoward taking place.

Reported rising crime statistics (48 per cent) and lack of visible police on the beat (44 per cent) are among the reasons why people expect to be burgled. A further one in five surveyed blames the area they live in for the inevitability of a break-in.

Simon Ziviani from Direct Line Home Insurance comments: "Our research shows that there is growing concern about burglary among homeowners, and coming face-to-face with an intruder is a particular anxiety. However many homeowners do not have sufficient security measures in place and as a result are making themselves unnecessarily vulnerable to the threat of break-ins. Two thirds do not have a burglar alarm, and even more worrying, almost four in ten (39 per cent) do not have adequate locks on their doors and windows."

posted by UK Insurance Index  @ 5:54 PM

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