Crime prevention and improved security should be given more importance says report
Nearly one in five people say they do not feel safe in their own home at night, according to a new survey.
After the publication of the annual Home Office report: 'Crime in England and Wales 2006/07', the results of a survey of 4,000 people by insurance company, Cornhill Direct, suggests that the fear of being a burglary victim also causes one in ten people to keep an object by the bed to turn the tables on an intruder.
Perhaps it's not surprising that so many people remain anxious, as a quarter of those surveyed said they had been burgled at some time or knew someone who had been, with one in 20 burglary victims admitting to being so traumatised they moved house shortly afterwards.
Since 1999, Home Office reports have reported a downward trend in the numbers of reported burglaries which may reflect the fact that householders are using a range of conventional crime prevention measures to improve the security of their home. For example:
· Almost half of those surveyed have installed security lights
· Almost 25% have timer switches on lights to make their homes look occupied
· 11% have a guard dog
· 8% have installed CCTV
However, the figures also reveal that a high percentage of people are not taking crime prevention measures and others are not always using the ones they have. For example, more than 30% of people with a burglar alarm reported that they do not bother setting it when they go out.
With industry figures reporting that a home with no security measures has a one in five chance of being burgled compared to a home with high levels of security which has a one in a 100 chance of being burgled, the argument for increasing home security is compelling.
David Keel from Cornhill Direct said: "The figures speak for themselves in that people can substantially reduce the risk of burglary by improving their home security.
"We believe that people can help reduce their fear of being a victim of crime by improving the level of security in and around their homes.
"Improving the security of your home does not necessarily have to be expensive. DIY stores sell a variety of items ranging from simple but effective door chains right up to more sophisticated burglar alarm systems.
"The insurance industry supports policyholders by giving discounts on their premiums if they take approved security measures."
