Virgin Money advises prevention better than cure

Homeowners are being encouraged to protect their homes with home insurance and greater security after figures suggested that instances of burglary had risen as a result of the economic downturn.

Although the Home Secretary Jacqui Smith MP dismissed suggestions that burglaries would definitely rise as a result of individual's increased financial hardship, recent figures suggest that burglary is on the rise, with close to 70,000 burglaries in England and Wales between July - September 2008, a rise of 4% when compared to the same period in 2007.

Speaking at a Burglary Summit, The Rt. Hon. Jacqui Smith admitted that burglaries had historically become more commonplace during times of financial hardship, including the 1980's and early 1990's, but said that it was not ‘a foregone conclusion this time.'

With this in mind, Virgin Money is encouraging homeowners to make sure that they have adequate locks and safety measures in place to minimise the risk of burglary. Homeowners should also have adequate home and contents insurance so that if the worst should happen they are sufficiently covered.

Grant Bather, spokesman at Virgin Money, said: "Homeowners everywhere worry about their property and possessions, and the figures from the Home Secretary have done little to quell these fears. People should make sure that they have secure locks on their windows and doors and any valuables such as laptops kept out of sight from potential burglars. "

Bather added: "Prevention is better than cure and covering your valuables with home insurance can give homeowners added peace of mind".