Christmas exodus leaves homes at risk

One in four Britons will leave their homes empty over the Christmas period, putting £1.6 billion worth of Christmas presents at risk from thieves, according to new research from Direct Line Home Insurance.

The study reveals that more than 11 million Brits will leave their homes unoccupied for at least one night between Christmas and New Year. Nearly half (47 per cent) of these people will leave behind brand new presents, worth an average of £285, increasing the potential rewards for burglars.

The average Christmas break lasts four nights, with the majority visiting family and friends (74 per cent). Many Brits are also choosing to celebrate Christmas away from home on skiing or winter sun holidays (3 per cent) or hotel breaks overseas (12 per cent).

The extent of the ‘Christmas Exodus’ means that some big cities will be emptied over the Christmas period, with more than a third (39 per cent) of Londoners planning to escape the capital this year.

Other ‘empty home hotspots’ include the North East of England, where 34 per cent of homeowners are planning to spend Christmas or New Year away, followed by Scotland (30 per cent).

The Direct Line research also reveals that burglary is a real concern for families who travel at this time of year. A quarter (25 per cent) of homeowners say that they feel their homes are more vulnerable at Christmas than at other times of year, and 13 per cent worry that they will be a victim of crime over the festive period.

Andrew Lowe, Head of Direct Line Home comments: “Christmas travel is more popular than ever, but it carries with it increased security risks. Statistics show that there is usually a rise in domestic crime at this time of year, and with Christmas being such a busy time it is easy to forget to take extra measures to secure the home.

“In order to protect themselves from Christmas crime, homeowners need to take extra security precautions before they head off as well as ensuring that their home insurance policy is adequate and up-to-date.”

Tips for protecting your home this Christmas

Window locks, especially on older windows, will help stop criminals getting in

If you have deadlocks, use them. They make it harder for a thief to get out again. But don’t leave the key near the door, or in an obvious place

Don’t leave spare keys outside, or in a garage or shed, and put car keys or garage keys in the house but out of sight

Use timers for lights and radios if you will be away from home overnight in order to create the impression that someone is in

Visible burglar alarms, good lighting, and carefully directed and limited security lighting can act as deterrents

Fences at the back of the house may make this area more secure, but walls and solid fencing may let a thief break in without being seen. A good comprimise is chain link fencing, or trellises with prickly shrubs

EMPTY HOME HOTSPOTS

1) London (39 per cent)
2) North East (34 per cent)
3) Scotland (30 per cent)
4) East of England (28 per cent)
5) North West (27 per cent)
6) East Midlands (26 per cent)
7) South East (24 per cent)
8) Yorkshire (23 per cent)
9=) South West (22 per cent)
9=) Wales (22 per cent)
10) West Midlands (18 per cent)