Rural homes targeted by thieves as recession bites

A shock rise in thefts from rural homes has prompted large rural insurer NFU Mutual to urge country people to review security measures.NFU Mutual's own claims figures have revealed a 14.7% increase in thefts from homes in the UK countryside in 2008.

One of the trends behind the increase was a nationwide epidemic of thefts from domestic central heating oil tanks as price rises made oil a valuable commodity.

"There is widespread concern in the countryside that the recession will lead to a crime wave," said NFU Spokesman Tim Price.

"We have seen sharp increases in rural crime in previous economic downturns - and are concerned that these worrying figures could mark the first evidence of a new rural crime wave."

NFU Mutual's concerns are shared by rural police forces. Figures recently gathered under the Freedom of Information Act showed almost two-thirds of the police forces surveyed in England and Wales showed a rise in robberies in the past three months, compared to the same period in the previous year.
The impact has been most acute in rural areas, where there has been a 17.5% rise in violent thefts.

All 43 police forces in England and Wales were asked to provide figures for robbery. Of the 32 that replied, 19 forces saw a rise. Cumbria, Lincolnshire, North Yorkshire, Cambridgeshire, Durham, Dyfed Powys, North Wales, and West Mercia all showed significant increases.

They are among the 13 forces categorised as "rural" by the Home Office, in which there was a rise in robbery offences from 1064 to 1250 over the three-month Christmas period, compared year-on-year.

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has also embarked on a "burglary summit" for England and Wales amid fears more homes will be broken into because of the recession.

Tim Price urged country dwellers to take a look at the impression their home made to would-be opportunist thieves and to make sure it appeared that security was a high priority.

"If opportunist thieves see gates, floodlights and possible CCTV cameras there's a good chance they will keep going in search of easier pickings elsewhere. On the home itself, decent locks on doors and windows and a burglar alarm are also effective deterrents."
He also advised country people to check that the contents of their garages, outbuildings and gardens were covered by their home insurance.

"You can check whether your insurance is of the right value by using the NFU Mutual home insurance contents calculator. Not only can you check the items you have around the home, but you can also make sure that you have enough cover for the garden.

"NFU Mutual's Home and Lifestyle Insurance not only provides £2,500 cover for garden contents such as tools, garden furniture and ornaments but also includes cover for plants in the garden up to the value of £2,000."

Home security measures recommended by NFU Mutual:

Install an alarm system accredited by UKAS and use an installer certified by a recognised approval body such as NSI or SSAIB

Fit and use insurance approved (BS3621:2004) security locks to all perimeter doors

Fit and use window security locks on ground floor windows and accessible first floor windows

Use SmartWater to mark valuable possessions

Fit security heavy-duty padlocks to garages and other outbuildings

Don't leave valuables on view

Secure ladders and tools out of sight

Deter thieves from entering your property by installing and using lockable gates and by maintaining boundaries and perimeter fencing

Plant shrubs or install fences to hide exposed domestic heating oil tanks from the eyes of opportunist thieves

Consider re-siting easily accessible tanks to an area or building where they are better protected

Note suspicious vehicles' registration numbers and report them to the police

Keep large sums of cash or jewellery in suitable safe protection.

Keep garden tools secure and out of sight

Install outside security lighting protection

NFU Mutual's web site nfumutual.co.uk includes detailed advice on security for rural properties.