UK Homeowners Don’t Know Burglary Risks, Shows Evander Home Security Survey

(PRWEB UK) 27 September 2013

Homeowners in the UK could be putting themselves at risk of burglary by not putting basic home security measures in place, according to research commissioned by emergency locksmith and glazing specialist Evander.

The survey, conducted to mark UK Home Security Week, found most UK homeowners are unaware of one of the most prevalent burglary techniques, dont use burglar alarms, and are reluctant to make insurance claims affecting their premiums. (http://www.evander.com/blog/enter-your-title-here-2013-09-23)

85 per cent of those questioned said they hadnt heard of lock snapping, a breaking and entering technique whereby the locks cylinder is literally snapped in two. Since 2009, there has been a rise in the technique, and lock snapping is now estimated by some police departments to be used in more than a quarter of burglaries. (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-17075027)

More than three-quarters of householders surveyed said they hadnt made any household security improvements over the previous 12 months, if ever, and less than 40 per cent had a burglar alarm installed at home.

Of those who did have an alarm installed, nearly a third (29 per cent) said they never used it because the alarm doesnt work, or because they simply choose not to.

It appears burglars could be getting off the hook unnecessarily too, with one in three householders reporting they wont report a crime as they believe the punishment wont be severe enough, or because the culprit wont be caught.

Some believed the process of reporting a crime would be too time-consuming, and one in five said they wouldnt do anything if they heard an alarm going off in their neighbourhood.

And despite putting themselves at risk of burglary, more than three quarters (86 per cent) of people say they wont make an insurance claim if it affects their excess or premiums. UK Home Security Week began on Monday, September 23.

Michael Fraser, crime author, former presenter of BBCs Beat the Burglar, and ambassador for UK Home Security Week, says most burglaries can be avoided with simple and sometimes free security improvements.

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UK Homeowners Don’t Know Burglary Risks, Shows Evander Home Security Survey