Over 50s more worried than ever about being burgled

The UK's over 50s population are more concerned than ever about being burgled, according to a new research report from specialist insurer RIAS. Latest figures show that 23% of over 50s are more concerned about having their home being broken into than they were a year ago, equivalent to 4.1m people.

The new insight comes six months after Home Secretary Jacqui Smith held a Burglary Summit to find new, innovative ways to deal with burglaries. Despite the Summit kicking off a series of initiatives to make people safer from crime, police figures show that domestic burglaries have increased for the first time in six years, from 280,708 in 2007/8 to 284,445 in 2008/9.

Janet Connor, Managing Director of RIAS comments: "It is concerning that one in four over 50s are anxious about the threat of being burgled, despite attempts by the Government to reduce people's fear about having their homes invaded by thieves and opportunists."

Whilst over 50s in London are the most concerned about having their homes broken into, with 27% of residents admitting their increased fear over the last twelve months, it is Manchester and Nottingham which are most at risk, according to a burglary ‘hotspots' league table. Manchester topped the list with 35 domestic burglaries per 1,000 homes during 2008, 7,167 in total last year, followed by Nottingham with 33 per 1,000 homes, equating to 4,367 burglaries.

One in eight Scottish over 50s, 15%, have said they become more concerned over the last year about their home being burgled.

RIAS has produced the following tips for homeowners to assist them with home safety:

1 Your main entrance and exit door: The door you use to leave and enter your home (the final exit door) should be fitted with a mortice deadlock with a minimum of five levers or a three-point multi locking system, depending on the type of door you have.

2 Ground floor and other accessible windows: Fit with key-operated window locks. This includes all windows which can be reached from a flat roof, such as a garage roof.

3 Other external doors (except patio doors): These must be fitted with barrel bolts top and bottom. If the door is partially glazed, you need to fit key-operated locks.

4 Patio Doors: Fit any UPVC doors with a three-point multi-locking system. Other patio doors should be fitted with key-operated bolts top and bottom.

Janet Connor continues: "Ensuring consumers take basic precautions to protect their homes is more important than ever against the backdrop of these burglary statistics. By fitting specific locks to windows and doors, consumers will not only benefit from increased security, but may also qualify for extra discounts from their household insurance provider. Being a member of a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme or having an approved intruder alarm fitted may also qualify for extra discounts, so it is well worth consumers declaring their home safety strategies to their insurer."