HOME SECURITY
NINE PERCENT OF UK RESIDENTS SAY THEY HAVE BEEN BURGLED IN THE PAST YEAR
» AVIVA IS URGING PEOPLE TO prioritise their home security as nine percent of UK residents say they have been burgled in the past year , according to new research from the insurer . A quarter ( 25 %) of people say they have been burgled before .
Additionally , Aviva ’ s own home claims data from the last three years shows that home insurance claims for theft via forcible and violent entry spike between September , October , and November , as the nights grow longer and darker and the clocks go back :
• 2021 saw a 50 % increase in claims for theft via forcible and violent entry between September and October , with a 2 % increase from October to November .
• 2022 saw an 18 % uplift in claims for theft via forcible and violent entry between September and October , with another 23 % increase in claims from October to November .
• 2023 saw a 34 % increase in claims for theft via forcible and violent entry between September and October , with another 10 % increase between October and November .
Aviva home claims for theft via forcible and violent entry
The impact of break-ins
According to the Aviva survey , the average cost of damages and items stolen during a break-in was £ 3,896 , with those aged 35-44 who have been burgled before seeing the highest cost at £ 7,199 . However , impacts were more than monetary , with break-ins taking a significant emotional toll on respondents :
• Nearly half ( 48 %) of those who had been burgled before said they felt angry after the break-in .
Percentage change September – October
• Over a quarter ( 28 %) felt unsafe in their own home .
• 26 % of people experienced increased anxiety .
• 25 % had their sleep affected by the burglary .
• Nine percent had to take time off work due to the stress and upset .
• And nine percent of people ended up moving properties because of the incident .
Of all those who were burgled , nearly half ( 47 %) of people were in the property when the break-in occurred , with 18 % of burglaries occurring during the day , and 29 % at night . Where people weren ’ t in the property , nearly a third ( 32 %) of burglaries occurred in the day when nobody was home , while just over a fifth ( 21 %) occurred at night .
Lock it up !
While locking doors and windows is a fundamental security measure to keep properties and belongings safe , alarmingly , just under half ( 46 %) of people do not lock all doors that provide access to the property [ v ] when they are at home and awake , and over a quarter ( 28 %) of people do not lock all doors when they go to sleep 4 .
Percentage change October - November
2021 + 50 % + 2 % 2022 + 18 % + 23 % 2023 + 34 % + 10 %
Worryingly , the research also revealed that more than one in ten ( 13 %) individuals do not employ any security measures while they are awake at home , and three percent of people do not employ any security measures when they are at home and going to sleep . One in ten people ( 10 %) also store their keys within reaching distance of a door or window . These lapses in security practices potentially leave households vulnerable to break-ins .
Taking proactive security measures
When it comes to protecting their homes and possessions , a fifth of Brits ( 20 %) use traditional security measures such as motion sensor lights that activate at night ( 20 %). Over a fifth ( 21 %) of Brits use a burglar alarm while they are away from the property for an extended period ( such as three days or longer ) and 17 % while they sleep . Seventeen per cent of people also have a pet that they think would deter wouldbe thieves .
Modern technology is also providing more advanced security measures , with just over one in seven ( 15 %) of Brits having security cameras that they use while away from the property for an extended period and the same amount while sleeping . Similarly , 14 % of people use security cameras during the day . Video doorbells are also used when residents are away from the property for an extended period ( 13 %), when sleeping ( 13 %) and during the day ( 13 %).
More information on the research can be found here : https :// www . aviva . co . uk / insurance / home-products / homeinsurance / knowledge-centre / burglaryreport /
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DECEMBER 2024
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