Brits fear recessionary crime wave set to continue

As the Home Office reports that burglaries are up 14 per cent year-on-year, new research from Allianz Insurance predicts a continued post recession rise in crime, with 61 per cent of Brits believing burglary levels will increase over the next two years.

The poll of 2,000 Brits conducted in July 2011 finds that just six per cent think crime levels have decreased since 2008, with 24 per cent saying they believe crime has ‘gone up a lot'.

Mark Bishop from Allianz Insurance UK, said: "The Home Office's figures and our research substantiate a crime trend we've been watching for some time, with more people reporting and claiming for burglaries.  In the first half of this year we have seen significantly higher claims in terms of value and volume compared to the same period in 2010.

"We also undertook this research pre-recession in 2008 when Brits were already concerned about crime levels, since that time the average claim on our house insurance for theft has jumped by £227.  Worryingly, our research has revealed that one in 10 Brits have not even considered security measures for their home - in the current environment we are urging homeowners to review their home crime prevention measures as a matter of urgency."

Pre-empted Protection

Many homeowners are choosing to take a more risky step in protecting themselves and their property, taking home security into their own hands. The Allianz research found that 43 per cent of homeowners currently have a potential weapon to hand - an increase from 27 per cent in 2008.

Missing Measures

Despite acknowledging that crime has risen and is set to do so even further 60 per cent of homeowners acknowledge that they haven't made their home as secure as possible.  Credit crunch consumers polled in 2008 revealed gaping holes in their home security and since then a negligent attitude to security has continued as 31 per cent don't have locks on all windows and doors, 68 per cent don't have a house alarm and a further two fifths (43 per cent) have left accessible doors and windows open over night.

Almost half (49 per cent) of Brits have acknowledged that experiencing a burglary would make them more security conscious.  For those who would rather take preventative measures, Allianz Insurance is sharing the following security tips to reduce the risk of burglary:
 
1. Install deadlocks on external doors
2. If you go out in the evening leave a light on in a main room
3. Never leave ladders or tools lying around as it's an open invitation to the opportunist thief
4. Close and lock all garages, sheds and other outbuildings when not in use
5. Don't let strangers into your home unless they give you official proof of their identity, which you should verify
6. Cancel milk and newspaper deliveries before you go on holiday
7. Keep a record of your possessions, for example the serial numbers of TV's and DVD players and take photographs of valuable or unusual items.

For more information, visit Allianz.co.uk.