Burglars getting creative in the recession

The cash is under the mattress and the jewellery is in the sock drawer, but what about the kettle and the tumble dryer? Direct Line has found that burglars have resorted to stealing more mundane household items in the recession, including white goods and small kitchen appliances such as toasters and kettles.

In a six month period, 50 vacuum cleaners, 26 microwaves, 16 toasters, 15 kettles, 13 tumble dryers and 10 fridges were stolen from the homes of Direct Line home insurance customers. There were a few burglars with even more unusual tastes, with the figures also showing some unexpected items targeted for burglary, including six dishwashers, three electric toothbrushes, two epilators and one beard trimmer. Of course, most burglars still have old-fashioned tastes in stolen goods, as laptops, TVs, and digital cameras topped the list of commonly stolen items, numbering in the thousands.

Andrew Lowe, head of Direct Line Home Insurance, said: "Where most people would go to the likes of Argos or John Lewis to fit out our homes with basic appliances, thieves seem to be using the recession to do their shopping in other peoples' homes. While it can be heart-breaking to have a family heirloom or special piece of jewellery stolen, it can also be annoying to have your kettle or tumble dryer go missing.

"Maintaining security for everyday practical items is just as important as for special and expensive pieces, since you can't hide a washing machine under your bed. The best way to protect everything you own is to have good security measures in place for your home."

Direct Line recommends that householders keep small valuables locked in a safe where possible, and to keep money in a bank where possible, as most home insurance policies will only cover a small amount of cash kept in the home.