Brits willing to risk their lives to defend home
Brits are willing to risk their lives to defend their properties against intruders, but are unwilling to take simple preventative measures, according to research for National Home Security Week (25th-31st August 2007).Burglary costs the nation £2.8bn every year – learn simple ways to reduce the risk at home this August Bank Holiday
Despite the threat of prosecution, British homeowners are prepared to protect their homes and family from burglars using extreme measures. Research from Micromark prior to National Home Security Week, this year taking place 25th-31st August, shows 8 out of 10 people would use anything to hand to protect their homes if faced with an unwanted intruder. Men would go even further – 1 in 10 men would use a gun and 1 in 8 would use a knife.
There is clear support for some homeowners who take the law into their own hands: an amazing 83% of respondents think it’s unfair to prosecute people who protect their property with a weapon. This dangerous and high-risk approach is not to be condoned – and the clear aim of National Home Security Week 2007 is to increase awareness of the effective preventative measures that can be taken to reduce the risk of intruders gaining entry in the first place.
The Home Office reports the cost of burglary to the nation to be £2.8billion each year. Official figures put the number of burglaries anywhere between 645,000 and 880,000 – or up to 100 burglaries every hour of the day and night. People obviously do recognise the risks – Micromark research shows 98% of victims had home contents insurance ( - official ABI figures show people spend an average of £159 per year, for 2005), yet it’s amazing that 39% of homeowners had no home security deterrents whatsoever. National Home Security Week encourages homeowners to take pro-active action now to reduce their risk of being burgled.
Further Home Office research shows burglar alarms and CCTV to be the greatest burglary deterrents - over 80% of burglars are put off by these. However only a very small number of homes have them - our new research shows less than 1 in 5 victims had an alarm system and only 1 in 30 had CCTV.
Nathan Cole, Senior Product Manager at Micromark, comments: “Our research shows how strongly homeowners feel about burglary if confronted with an intruder – however the point of National Home Security Week is to highlight ways to reduce the risk of being broken into - deterring burglars without having to resort to drastic and dangerous measures.
“Nobody wants to come face to face with a burglar, and there are simple, effective and affordable deterrents available to put them off. In fact our previous research with convicted burglars shows over two-thirds are deterred by the presence of some home security. And it doesn’t have to be expensive - burglar alarms and CCTV systems are available from as little as £30 and security lighting and timers start from under £10."
The emotional impact of a burglary cannot be underestimated and many victims suffer lasting psychological problems. 1 in 4 people who have had an intruder in their home have suffered from stress and anxiety and more than 1 in 3 feel uncomfortable being in the house, according to the research.
For many victims of break-ins it’s a case of being wise after the event. 65% added security to their property after being burgled - 1 in 4 people added an alarm with the same number installing window locks. Only 1 in 13 added CCTV – a surprisingly low figure, given that previous Micromark research5 showed 67% of burglars avoid properties with CCTV installed.
1 in 10 people admit their security measures remain poor despite suffering a break-in. Burglary victims who do nothing should beware: Home Office research shows over two-thirds of burglars had returned to a property they had burgled before and taken items from it on a second occasion – compounding the distress.
Reducing the personal cost of burglary – such as the loss of irreplaceable sentimental items, stress and anxiety of the intrusion and the hassle of dealing with police, insurance companies and tradesmen – can only benefit everyone, as well as reducing the huge cost to the nation. With £2.8billion to spend, the UK could build 7 new £400m 'super hospitals', or 1,867 new £1.5m primary schools around the country, or 215 new £13m secondary schools.
The research of victims highlighted an important point between the sexes: women are much more emotionally affected by burglary than men – almost half are uncomfortable being at home, almost 1 in 3 suffer anxiety and stress and 1 in 10 don’t like being home alone. Interestingly, more than 1 in 6 women have a dog as a burglary deterrent, twice the number of men - who rely more on locks, alarms and lighting.
Tips to reduce the risk of burglary
Close and lock all doors and windows to deter opportunist thieves
Use timers to switch on your table lamps, radio and TV whilst you are away so it looks like you are home
Fit a burglar alarm and make sure you fit an alarm siren box at the front and back of your home so they act as a deterrent to intruders
Install a spyhole or home CCTV system. A Micromark CCTV camera can automatically change the channel on your TV so you can check who is at the front door, or start your video recording if an intruder is detected
Fit security lanterns to your porch and floodlights in your garden. Any unwanted visitors will trigger the sensors, flooding the area with light
Plant thorny trees such as holly under vulnerable windows or low walls to deter entrance
Remove keys from locked windows and doors and keep them out of sight in a safe place
Check who is at your front door before opening it and use a safety chain for added security
When you go away on holiday, ensure you cancel your newspapers and milk and ask trusted neighbours to push through any mail that is left in your letterbox
National Home Security Week
For further information and to download our Insider’s Guide to Home Security, visit: homesecurityweek.co.uk.
Leading home security manufacturer, Micromark (micromark.co.uk), is proud to be sponsoring the fifth annual National Home Security Week which takes place this year from 25th-31st August. National Home Security Week encourages homeowners to think about their home security and aims to raise awareness of the simple preventative measures people can take to reduce both the risk of crime and fear of crime in their own home.
