How far would you go to defend your home?

• A quarter of Brits would attack an intruder in their home with a weapon or household object reveals home insurer Direct Line

New research1 from Direct Line Home Insurance reveals that one in four (26 per cent) Britons admit they would attack an intruder in their home with a weapon, or household object in order to defend their property. A year on from changes in the law that have allowed homeowners to use greater force against burglars, the insurer’s findings highlight the willingness of Britons to exercise such force.

When asked which objects people would be most likely to use to defend themselves and their home, sports equipment such as a golf club or cricket bat was most commonly cited (38 per cent of people).  Furniture (35 per cent) and other blunt household objects (34 per cent) also ranked highly amongst the choices.

The findings also revealed the surprising prevalence of householders being threatened or attacked with weapons or dangerous objects. Around 8.5 million Britons2 (17 per cent) claim to have been threatened, or injured by another person with an offensive weapon or object. Almost three quarters (72 per cent) of these incidents occurred whilst out in public, while 43 per cent occurred on the victim’s own property, with the overlap accounting for people who have been assaulted more than once.

Direct Line’s study revealed that men are at far greater risk than women of being threatened or injured by an attacker with a weapon or dangerous object, at 22 per cent and 12 per cent respectively. The same was also true of those who live alone, with 25 per cent having experienced such an attack whilst on their own property, compared to 15 per cent of those who live with other people.

Katie Lomas, head of Direct Line home insurance, commented: “It is understandable that people want to defend themselves and their home, as the prospect of an intruder is extremely threatening. However, in the unlikely event that people do encounter an intruder, we would strongly advise against confrontation or force.”

“The best way to defend your home is to protect it from intruders is from the outset. For most people, this entails simple security measures such as keeping doors and windows locked and fitting a good alarm system, but we have also seen a rise in unusual home security measures, such as panic buttons and live CCTV streaming. This may sound more like a Hollywood movie than your local neighbourhood, but if it puts people’s minds at ease then these measures are a good idea.”

The study also highlights widespread concern amongst Britons about the presence of weapons near their home, with almost a quarter (22 per cent) of people saying they are concerned about weapon possession in their local area.  When asked how this compares with five years ago, the same number (22 per cent) said they were more concerned now than they were previously. 

ENDS

For further information, please contact:

Katie Pugh

Citigate Dewe Rogerson

Tel: 0207 282 2914

E-mail: katie.pugh@citigatedr.co.uk
 

Claire Foster 
Direct Line PR Manager
Tel: 0165 183 1672 
Mob: 07900 217 264 
Email: claire.foster@directlinegroup.co.uk

Notes to editors:

[1].  Research conducted by Opinium research, 11th – 12th March 2014 amongst a UK nationally representative sample of 2001 people. Results have been extrapolated based on a national population size of 50,371,000 (ONS, 2010).

2. 16.84 per cent of respondents surveyed indicated they have been threatened or injured by someone with an offensive weapon or with a potentially dangerous object (e.g. glass bottle, baseball bat, firework, hammer, brick or any other object that could inflict serious injury or harm). 16.84 per cent x 50,371,00 (2013 UK adult population according to ONS, 2010) = 8,483,271 Britons
 

Direct Line

Started in 1985, Direct Line became the first UK insurance company to use the telephone as its main channel of communication. It provides motor, home, travel and pet insurance cover direct to customers by phone or on-line.

Direct Line general insurance policies are underwritten by U K Insurance Limited, Registered office: The Wharf, Neville Street, Leeds LS1 4AZ. Registered in England No 1179980. U K Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.

Direct Line and UK Insurance limited are both part of Direct Line Insurance Group plc.

Customers can find out more about Direct Line products or get a quote by calling 0845 246 3761 or visiting www.directline.com

• A quarter of Brits would attack an intruder in their home with a weapon or household object reveals home insurer Direct Line
   

New research1 from Direct Line Home Insurance reveals that one in four (26 per cent) Britons admit they would attack an intruder in their home with a weapon, or household object in order to defend their property. A year on from changes in the law that have allowed homeowners to use greater force against burglars, the insurer’s findings highlight the willingness of Britons to exercise such force.

When asked which objects people would be most likely to use to defend themselves and their home, sports equipment such as a golf club or cricket bat was most commonly cited (38 per cent of people).  Furniture (35 per cent) and other blunt household objects (34 per cent) also ranked highly amongst the choices.

The findings also revealed the surprising prevalence of householders being threatened or attacked with weapons or dangerous objects. Around 8.5 million Britons2 (17 per cent) claim to have been threatened, or injured by another person with an offensive weapon or object. Almost three quarters (72 per cent) of these incidents occurred whilst out in public, while 43 per cent occurred on the victim’s own property, with the overlap accounting for people who have been assaulted more than once.

Direct Line’s study revealed that men are at far greater risk than women of being threatened or injured by an attacker with a weapon or dangerous object, at 22 per cent and 12 per cent respectively. The same was also true of those who live alone, with 25 per cent having experienced such an attack whilst on their own property, compared to 15 per cent of those who live with other people.

Katie Lomas, head of Direct Line home insurance, commented: “It is understandable that people want to defend themselves and their home, as the prospect of an intruder is extremely threatening. However, in the unlikely event that people do encounter an intruder, we would strongly advise against confrontation or force.”

“The best way to defend your home is to protect it from intruders is from the outset. For most people, this entails simple security measures such as keeping doors and windows locked and fitting a good alarm system, but we have also seen a rise in unusual home security measures, such as panic buttons and live CCTV streaming. This may sound more like a Hollywood movie than your local neighbourhood, but if it puts people’s minds at ease then these measures are a good idea.”

The study also highlights widespread concern amongst Britons about the presence of weapons near their home, with almost a quarter (22 per cent) of people saying they are concerned about weapon possession in their local area.  When asked how this compares with five years ago, the same number (22 per cent) said they were more concerned now than they were previously. 

ENDS

For further information, please contact:

Katie Pugh

Citigate Dewe Rogerson

Tel: 0207 282 2914

E-mail: katie.pugh@citigatedr.co.uk
 

Claire Foster 
Direct Line PR Manager
Tel: 0165 183 1672 
Mob: 07900 217 264 
Email: claire.foster@directlinegroup.co.uk

Notes to editors:

[1].  Research conducted by Opinium research, 11th – 12th March 2014 amongst a UK nationally representative sample of 2001 people. Results have been extrapolated based on a national population size of 50,371,000 (ONS, 2010).

2. 16.84 per cent of respondents surveyed indicated they have been threatened or injured by someone with an offensive weapon or with a potentially dangerous object (e.g. glass bottle, baseball bat, firework, hammer, brick or any other object that could inflict serious injury or harm). 16.84 per cent x 50,371,00 (2013 UK adult population according to ONS, 2010) = 8,483,271 Britons
 

Direct Line

Started in 1985, Direct Line became the first UK insurance company to use the telephone as its main channel of communication. It provides motor, home, travel and pet insurance cover direct to customers by phone or on-line.

Direct Line general insurance policies are underwritten by U K Insurance Limited, Registered office: The Wharf, Neville Street, Leeds LS1 4AZ. Registered in England No 1179980. U K Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.

Direct Line and UK Insurance limited are both part of Direct Line Insurance Group plc.

Customers can find out more about Direct Line products or get a quote by calling 0845 246 3761 or visiting www.directline.com