ID theft becomes UK's top safety fear

Identity theft has overtaken street crime (43% versus 41%) and fears of being mugged or attacked (32%) to become the nation's top safety fear - and, overall, more than three in four Britons (76%) have concerns about family and domestic safety - according to research from American Express Insurance Services.

At a time when the Cabinet Office has suggested that identity fraud costs the UK at least £1.3 Billion every year, American Express Insurance Services asked more than 2,000 adults across the UK what their top safety and security concerns were for 2008.

Over the last year, ID theft has become the top safety fear, particularly for small business owners. More than half (51%) of them are worried about the effects of having their identity stolen.

As Britons prepare to lock up their homes and set off a family break in the sun, burglary remains a top security fear for around one in three adults (32%). People in the more affluent London (37%) and North West (37%) are those most worried about home break-ins.

Beyond burglary and theft, vandalism is a significant concern for around one in four people - although people are more bothered about damage to their car (27%) than they are to their neighbourhood (23%), home (19%) or garden (11%). When it comes to car-proud petrol heads, women were just as likely as men to worry about car vandalism.

Fear of alcohol-related crime is the biggest faller since 2007; falling from 35 per cent to 25 per cent, down a third in three months. More than one in four young Britons ranked this as a top safety issue (27%).

The so called ‘internet generation' are increasingly on guard when it comes to fraud and identity theft; 35 percent of 18-24 year olds named it as a concern (an 8% rise since 2007).

In light of these findings American Express Insurance Services has launched a comprehensive Identity Defence insurance product to better protect it's customers from identity fraud.

Chris Rolland, Head of American Express Insurance Services commented: "As fast-paced working life drives more people to rely on technology in the way they manage their lives, so the safety landscape is changing and ID theft is becoming a bigger issue year on year.

As a service-driven insurer that builds products for busy lives, we offer a comprehensive Identity Defence package for our customers. This is an essential service from American Express Insurance Services, intended to combat one of the UK's fastest growing crimes."