What burglars want to take from you the most - and how to keep them at bay
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New research has suggested that what thieves target when they do get into your property is changing.
Insurer Protect Your Bubble analysed official crime survey figures, and found that jewellery and watches were stolen in 36% of burglaries between April 2015 and March 2016.
However, that figure stood at 29% a decade ago, and actually dropped as low as 24% in 2011.
As watches and jewellery have become more popular with thieves, fewer of them are taking cash.
During the same period, 44% of domestic burglaries involved the theft of a wallet or cash; ten years ago, it was a part of 51% of burglaries.
Protect Your Bubble reckons this is a reflection of society becoming increasingly cashless.
Rob Basinger from Protect Your Bubble said: “As we move to a less cash reliant society we can see that thieves are being attracted by other valuables that we keep in our homes and often carry with us. The glint of jewellery or the glamour of an expensive watch are catching the eye of criminals like never before.”
Increased chance of being burgled again
(Photo: Rex)
A separate study from Churchill Home Insurance found that burglary victims have a one in four chance of being burgled again while living in the same property.
Around one in five Brits - that’s more than 10 million adults - say that they have been a victim of burglary. In London, 26% of residents claim to have been burgled in the past, while a quarter of those in the North West and Yorkshire & Humber say they have fallen victim to burglars.
Somewhat surprisingly, one in ten burglary victims said they did not then improve their home’s security systems, instead relying on what they already had in place.
How are they getting in?
Churchill found that almost half (47%) of successful burglars get access to the property through the front, with 38% finding a way in through the back.
Incredibly, more than a quarter of burglaries occurred as a result of a door not being locked.
What’s more, burglars are happy to take the chance of breaking in even in broad daylight - 45% of burglaries take place between 6am and 6pm.
Burglary hotspots
(Photo: Getty)
Last month MoneySupermarket named the nation’s burglary hotspots, with London postcodes accounting for a whopping 16 of the top 20.
It analysed home insurance quotes over the last two years to identify the areas most likely to make a claim for contents theft.
Redbridge (IG4) took top spot, with 54.7 claims per 1,000 quotes, ahead of Whetstone (N20), Chadwell Heath (RM6) and Kirkstall (LS5).
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Kevin Pratt, consumer affairs expert at MoneySuperMarket, said: “Burglars are interested in two things: where should I go to find stuff worth stealing and where am I least likely to get caught?
"Our findings suggest busy urban areas are the biggest targets for theft, but those who call leafy suburbia home should also be aware of the risks associated with the higher anticipated value of their belongings.”
Making your home more secure
(Photo: Getty)
Obviously, locking your doors and windows is a useful, though apparently overlooked, first step to keeping your home secure.
A security alarm is also worth considering. Not only will it make your home safer, but it will also cut the cost of your home insurance!
You should also take a look at your locks. Mortice locks are more secure - basically, if it has at least five levers, it’s a good shout. If in doubt, have a chat with a locksmith.
Churchill says that the best burglary deterrent is for the home to be occupied. So if you are going to be away for a couple of days, ask a neighbour or relative to pop over now and again, or invest in timed lights.
Avoid making it obvious that you aren’t home - that includes posting holiday updates on social media too.
If you have bought something expensive - say a big telly or a new computer - then don’t leave the packaging on show outside. If you can’t fit it into your recycling bin, then pop down to a public recycling centre.
You should also keep expensive items out of view from outside the property.
Martin Scott, head of Churchill home insurance, said that whether you have been burgled or not it's important to consider the weak points in your home security and think about installing visible deterrents, like CCTV or motion activated lights.
He added: “Burglars avoid targeting properties that are difficult to enter and leave, so don’t be an easy target for them.”