Cover of darkness provides rich pickings for burglars
When the clocks go back, dark evenings provide ideal cover for opportunist burglars. According to Halifax Home Insurance claims data, the average cost of a claim for winter burglary was £1,746.00 per incident in 2012, up 14% compared to the average cost of a summer burglary claim. Last year the insurer paid out almost £13 million in winter burglary claims, a 21% rise compared to the summer months.
Senior claims manager Martyn Foulds said: "The cover of darkness makes life easier for petty thieves looking for an easy target, so we are reminding homeowners that a few simple steps can go a long way to avoiding the stress and inconvenience a burglary brings. While insurance will cover the financial loss, it may not be able to replace unique family heirlooms or items of sentimental value, so it's always best to take preventative steps to protect the things you treasure most."
Tips from Halifax Home Insurance:
Keep doors and windows locked, even when at home
Security lights can alert you to people approaching the house, and gravel driveways make it possible to hear them coming too
Have a British standard approved burglar alarm installed, and always set it when leaving your home unoccupied and also at night. One which has a direct link to the police is a good idea
A dog barking can deter a burglar, and even seeing a sign saying ‘beware of the dog' will make many think twice about attempting a break in
High walls, spiky railings and prickly bushes around a property can make it more difficult to break in, and also harder to get away if burglars are disturbed
Keep tools and ladders that can be used to break in to the home locked away
When going on holiday, timer switches on lights can make it less obvious that the house is empty. Also, consider asking a friendly neighbour to check in on the home and collect any mail, as piles of letters can be a clue that there is nobody around
Marking your property with a UV pen or etching your postcode on metal items such as bikes and tools means that if it is stolen, there is a greater chance of it being recovered by police
Make sure your home buildings and contents insurance is up to date and includes the right level of cover for your needs
Don't leave keys hidden under door mats, in flower pots or in other ‘safe' places - burglars know where to look
If you are unlucky enough to be burgled, report it to the police as soon as possible, and obtain an incident number. Contact your home insurer, quoting the police incident number and giving as much detail as possible about what was taken and also any damage caused to property. If the home has been left unsecured after a break in, make sure both the police and insurers are aware of this.
Top 10 hotspots for burglary 2012:
1. London
2. Kingston
3. Romford
4. Richmond and Twickenham
5. Manchester
6. Croydon
7. Slough
8. Birmingham
9. Leeds
10. Leicester