5th August 10
As the UK enjoys a relatively dry and warm Summer, the Association of British Insurers (ABI) has issued a warning to householders to beware that burglars also enjoy the summer months.
Properties left empty while occupants are on holiday provide obvious targets for summer thieves.
In the Summer of 2009 insurers handled 78,000 domestic burglary claims – 1,250 claims every working day – paying out £84 million. These crimes are not only costly but also can cause a lot of stress and trauma to the victims.
The warning coincides with a report from insurance comparison service Moneysupermarket.com which reveals that householders in London are the most likely to make a claim from burglary.
They analysed over 1.1m home insurance enquiries made on the site in 2009 and found that London held ten of the top 20 postcode districts where people are most likely to have made a claim for theft. However, Chorlton-cum-Hardy in Manchester (M21) claimed the number one spot on the website’s ‘hotspot’ list, with 8.65% of households in the district affected by theft or burglary last year.
The ABI has made a number of suggestions which can make homes safer during the summer holidays:
• Avoid leaving windows and doors open when you are not in your home – even if you are only out for a few minutes.
• Do not leave ladders and tools that could be used to gain entry out in the garden at night or when the property is unoccupied – lock them in a secure garden shed, garage on indoors.
• Check that any garden sheds are secure.
• Keep car and garage keys out of sight of possible intruders.
• You want to avoid giving the impression that the property is unoccupied so when you are away from home, leave some lights to come on with a timer and cancel any milk and newspaper deliveries.
• Ask a trusted neighbour, friend or relative to keep an eye on your property while you are away.
Nick Starling from the ABI, remarked:
“Everyone wants to relax in the sun, apart from burglars who are on the lookout for easy pickings. Insurance can of course provide financial compensation, but it cannot compensate for the trauma of a burglary. Being aware of the risks and taking a few simple precautions will ensure that you do not become a victim of summer thieves.”
However, it's not just when we are away on holiday that we need to vigilant. Leaving windows and doors open to cool down during periods of hot weather can also be an invitation to opportunist thieves. Croydon in South London has seen a huge surge in the amount of burglaries, with 41 residential properties hit a month this summer.
Detective chief inspector Tim Champion, who is in charge of Croydon’s Burglary Squad said: “We’ve managed to reduce the number of burglaries this year compared to last, but we’re noticing the number creeping up again, and getting people to secure their homes is a good way to stop it happening.
“People think if they’re at home, then they won’t get burgled, but it takes a few seconds for someone to grab a laptop or expensive item through an open window or door, whatever the time of day. Residents just need to be aware and make sure they’re not leaving an easy opportunity for a burglar.”
